Paapa Essiedu in talks to play major Harry Potter role in HBO series reboot

Potterheads will no doubt be extremely eager for the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series reboot.

Ever since it was announced back in April last year, fans of JK Rowling's World of Witchcraft and Wizardry were buzzing to find out who would be cast to carry on the legacy of the beloved film franchise, which will cover all seven Harry Potter books.

Now, there's already been some speculation at who could fill Michael Gambon's shoes as Dumbledore, but there's now some more buzz pointing to The Lazarus Project star, Paapa Essiedu, being in talks to play a major role in the reboot.

Warner Bros. TV boss, Channing Dungey, said earlier this year that the upcoming series, which is set to premiere in 2026, will be 'more in-depth that you can in just a two-hour film… that’s the whole reason we’re on this journey'.

Now, Potterheads themselves have already been granted the chance to star in the new HBO series and, since the announcement, they've been rushing to social media theorising on who could be cast in the most iconic roles - and it's clear Essiedu is at the centre of the latest speculation.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the I May Destroy You actor is up for the role of none other than Professor Severus Snape - a character previously brought to life by the late Alan Rickman.

The Royal Shakespeare Company star, Paapa Essiedu, has been rumoured to be cast as Severus Snape in the HBO Harry Potter series reboot (Kate Green/Getty Images)

"Sources say the actor has been offered the part although it is not clear if negotiations have begun in earnest," the outlet reports.

Naturally, there's also been a lot of buzz over who will fill Harris/Gambon's shoes as the beloved Hogwarts headmaster, with inside sources reporting it could be none other than Sir David Mark Rylance Waters.

"Variety understands that Warner Bros. Television hasn’t yet entered into negotiations with the actor, but the studio has reached out to gauge interest and availability," the outlet reported.

Alan Rickman previously starred as the Professor of Potions (Warner Bros.)

While no actors have been officially cast yet - it's clear we're all very excited for the full cast announcement to finally drop.

The series in question has previously confirmed it 'will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years'.

"Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally," HBO adds.

In a statement regarding Esseidu’s casting, HBO said: "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation.

"As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals."