Fans of Harry Potter have waded in on the possible casting of Bellatrix Lestrange, famously played by award-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter, which has sparked quite a debate

Harry Potter fans certainly have plenty to say about the casting of the new HBO TV series – after whispers have reached them they might be casting another key character soon.

The announcement of of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape has certainly raised eyebrows among Harry Potter fans and now word has spread that Bellatrix Lestrange, a favorite in the franchise, could be cast soon too.

Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey’s name has been thrown into the hat to take on the role famously played by award-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter. People on Reddit reacted to a thread as they reckon Lena, who played Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, could well be cast as Bellatrix, who kills Harry’s godfather Sirius Black, one of Harry’s last surviving family members in the movie.

Harry Potter fans flocked to Reddit to have their say. One said, “Hard pass. She doesn’t have chaotic energy. She would make a good Narcissa though.” Another said, “I think she’s unfortunately not right, age wise, and I don’t think she could pull of the evil type of playfulness/childishness.”

Harry Potter fans are divided over the possibility of casting Bellatrix Lestrange

Not everyone was in disagreement, someone praised the possibility of Lena as Bellatrix. They said, “Our iconic Sofia [The Penguin]. Even better for WB, since her contract with HBO is renewed.”

It was revealed last month that John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, which sparked some discontent due to him not being British, however, his casting was mostly well-received. Yet, the recent announcement of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, famously played by the late Alan Rickman in the films, has stirred up a different reaction.

Many Harry Potter fans have conflicted feelings about Snape’s character, but concerns are primarily focused on how Essiedu’s casting might alter the show’s direction. Fans of the show took to a Reddit thread to share their thoughts.

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One fan expressed admiration for Essiedu’s acting skills but noted, “I liked him in Gangs of London. Not a tremendous performance or anything but it was good. The character suited him. But this casting choice is…. interesting, to say the least.”

Lena Headey could join the show
Another chimed in with doubt, saying, “Yeah I don’t get this. Not because I think he’s a bad actor or incapable of playing a role like this. But because this is just not the right casting option for a series that was meant to be more in line with the books.”

The same user expressed concerns about the implications of casting a black actor as Snape, which might introduce racial connotations absent from the original material. “What is going to happen with the Marauders tease him in the flashback and hang him upside down by his ankle? That doesn’t seem…appropriate.”

“And then he goes Kanye and joins Wizard Hitler? Fighting for blood purity only to change it up when his school crush is targeted?” the person further commented on Snape’s traditional portrayal, also suggesting Paapa Essiedu does not fit the “ugly” image described in the book.

“Also Snape isn’t meant to be attractive. Nothing the books ever use to describe him is in anyway generous to his appearance,” they continued, “This is a handsome man. How could he ever look sallow, greasy, hooknosed, and ugly? It just doesn’t fit the man they cast. At all.”