ESPN/HBO
Former NFL linebacker and podcaster Will Compton was practically foaming at the mouth to share his opinion on Paapa Essiedu, a Black British actor, being cast as Snape in HBO’s Harry Potter series. The first look at Essiedu as Snape was revealed in the debut teaser for the series last week.
During a recent interview with former Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, the topic of Paapa Essiedu being cast as Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series was broached and Compton was giddy at the opportunity to share his opinion.
Will Compton says the Snape casting in HBO’s Harry Potter series is “bulls—” while Lavonte David says the character “is not Black”
“I think one thing that’s absolutely bulls— is f—— Professor Snape. Because when you look back at all the books and all the movies and everything else, not at any point is he wearing something with a zipper,” Compton said in jest, clearly trying to trojan horse his actual opinion of his new version of Snape being played by a Black actor.
When David chimed in to “call a spade a spade” and say that Snape is not Black, Compton feigned ignorance and pretended as if that wasn’t what he was talking about. The caption on the video was also capped with the hashtag #NotMySnape.
Me and Lavonte David’s thoughts on the NEW Professor Snape in the Harry Potter Series
“Lets call a spade a spade”
♠️ #NotMySnape pic.twitter.com/6HQm4gSmsi
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) March 31, 2026
Essiedu, 35 years old, has revealed he’s received death threats over the role, telling The Times of London that he’s been told: “‘Quit or I’ll murder you.’ The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.'”
HBO’s Harry Potter is set to premiere next year, with the network planning to adapt each novel into a season of television. You can check out the first teaser trailer for Harry Potter below.