Bella Ramsey, “I’m Going to Be a Dad,” expressed her support for Paapa Essiedu, saying, “No matter the color of your skin, I think they’re overreacting. I’m also a victim of my appearance. Let’s fight together.”

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, slated for a 2026 release. Ramsey’s statement, made during a recent interview, addressed the avalanche of more than 30,000 letters sent to HBO demanding Essiedu’s removal because of his race, with fans citing Snape’s “skin” depiction in J.K. Rowling’s books. “No matter what color your skin is, I think they’re overreacting,” Ramsey said, drawing parallels to her own experience facing relentless online hate for her appearance as Ellie in The Last of Us . “I am also a victim of my looks, let’s fight together.” Their solidarity has reignited debates about the casting, the toxicity of fandom, and the pressures young actors face in high-profile adaptations.

Ramsey’s rise to fame began with her role as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones , but her 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” or “not tough enough.” The vitriol escalated with the April 2025 season 2 premiere, leading Ramsey to deactivate her social media accounts. In a Hollywood Reporter interview, she revealed the cost of comments fixated on her body type, which didn’t match the “ripped” Ellie in the game’s sequel. This backlash mirrors the current outrage over Essiedu, whose casting as Snape has been labeled “the haters” by detractors, despite Rowling’s vague depiction of the character’s race.

Essiedu, known for I May Destroy You , faces a similar storm. X-rated fans, such as @KingJames8289, argue that a Black Snape alters the narrative, which can frame the bullying of James Potter 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. However, 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 looks. Their shared experience of public scrutiny—Ramsey for his “baby-faced” look and esesiedu for his race—adheres to a larger theme: fandoms’ obsession with physical fidelity to source material over acting merit.

The Harry Potter series, directed by Succession alums Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, aims to adapt each of Rowling’s seven books into a single season, with filming set to begin this summer at Loundden Studios. The casting of Essiedu, 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 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 it alone can preserve the integrity of the series. This is complicated by Rowling’s controversial transgender views, which Ramsey and Essiedu have indirectly challenged by signing an open letter backing trans rights, alongside 400 industry professionals, following a UK Supreme Court ruling on definitions of biological sex.

Ramsey’s own struggles add depth to his 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 coming of age 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. However, their Emmy-nominated performance as Ellie and critical praise for roles like Kelsey in Time affirm their talent, as does Essiedu’s praise, reinforcing their 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 protect Essiedu, but the letters and online vitriol persist. As Ramsey and Essiedu unite, 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.