Bella Ramsey, the 21-year-old star of The Last of Us, has stepped into the spotlight once again, this time to defend Paapa Essiedu, the Black British actor cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, set for 2026. Ramsey’s statement, made during a recent interview, addressed the flood of over 30,000 letters sent to HBO demanding Essiedu’s removal due to his race, with fans citing Snape’s “sallow skin” description in J.K. Rowling’s books. “No matter what color your skin is, I think they’re overreacting,” Ramsey said, drawing parallels to their own experience facing relentless online hate for their appearance as Ellie in The Last of Us. “I’m also a victim of my appearance, let’s fight together.” Their solidarity has reignited debates about casting, fandom toxicity, and the pressures faced by young actors in high-profile adaptations.
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Ramsey’s rise to fame began with their role as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, but their casting as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us drew intense scrutiny. Fans of the video game criticized Ramsey’s appearance, claiming they didn’t resemble the digital Ellie, with some on X and Reddit calling them “too young-looking” or “not tough enough.” The vitriol escalated with Season 2’s April 2025 premiere, prompting Ramsey to deactivate their social media accounts. In a Hollywood Reporter interview, they revealed the toll of comments fixating on their body type, which didn’t match the “ripped” Ellie of the game’s sequel. This backlash mirrors the current outrage over Essiedu, whose casting as Snape has been labeled “blackwashing” by detractors, despite Rowling’s vague description of the character’s race.
Essiedu, known for I May Destroy You, faces a similar storm. Fans on X, like @Kingjames8289, argue that a Black Snape alters the narrative, potentially framing James Potter’s bullying as racially charged. Others, including a YouTuber with 700,000 subscribers, claim it shifts Snape’s marginalized identity, given his ties to the blood-purity-obsessed Death Eaters. Yet, supporters highlight Essiedu’s acclaimed performances, with @PotterFanX praising his stage work as evidence of his ability to capture Snape’s complexity. Ramsey’s defense aligns with this, emphasizing talent over appearance. Their shared experience of public scrutiny—Ramsey for their “baby-faced” look and Essiedu for his race—underscores a broader issue: fandoms’ obsession with physical fidelity to source material over acting merit.
The Harry Potter series, led by Succession alums Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, aims to adapt each of Rowling’s seven books into a season, with filming set to start this summer at Leavesden Studios. Essiedu’s casting, alongside John Lithgow as Dumbledore, reflects HBO’s push for diversity, a move Rowling has historically supported, as seen in her defense of Noma Dumezweni’s Black Hermione in Cursed Child. However, the backlash has fueled a separate fan campaign urging Rowling to reclaim the Harry Potter copyright from Warner Bros. Discovery, believing she alone can preserve the series’ integrity. This is complicated by Rowling’s controversial transgender views, which Ramsey and Essiedu have indirectly challenged by signing an open letter supporting trans rights, alongside 400 industry professionals, following a UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definitions.
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Ramsey’s own struggles add depth to their support for Essiedu. Diagnosed as autistic at 18 and identifying as non-binary, Ramsey has spoken about feeling “trapped” by gender labels and patronized as a child actor. Their Vogue cover story detailed their battle with anorexia and the relief of an autism diagnosis, which helped them understand their neurodivergence. The hate they’ve faced, often misogynistic and targeting their “unconventional” appearance, has made them a lightning rod in gaming and fantasy communities. Yet, their Emmy-nominated performance as Ellie and critical praise for roles like Kelsey in Time affirm their talent, much like Essiedu’s accolades bolster his suitability for Snape.
The controversy surrounding Essiedu’s casting echoes Ramsey’s experience, highlighting a toxic undercurrent in fandoms. Both actors have faced disproportionate criticism—Ramsey for not being “pretty enough,” Essiedu for not being “white enough”—revealing a double standard rooted in unrealistic expectations. HBO’s decision to disable comments on casting posts suggests an attempt to shield Essiedu, but the letters and online vitriol persist. As Ramsey and Essiedu stand together, their fight is not just against casting critics but against a culture that prioritizes appearance over substance. With the Harry Potter series poised to redefine a beloved franchise, their resilience could inspire a new generation to value performance over prejudice.
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