HBO has revealed the cast of its upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and controversy is already brewing over some casting choices, particularly for the character Parvati Patil, as fans are disappointed to see that an Italian actress, Alessia Leoni, is playing the role of an Indian-origin character in the show.
This comes shortly after fans criticised HBO’s decision to cast a black actor, Paapa Essiedu, for the role of Snape in the show. Fans continue to argue that certain casting decisions misrepresent the story and don’t stay true to J. K. Rowling’s vision.
Harry Potter Reboot Faces Backlash Again After New Cast Update
In June 2025, HBO announced its second official casting update, featuring fan favorites like Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt), Molly Weasley (Katherine Parkinson), and several others. The list revealed that the Italian actress Alessia Leoni is all set to portray Parvati Patil, a casting choice that left the fans disappointed, as she is the franchise’s only character with Indian roots.
Parvati holds a special place, especially for viewers with a personal connection to her heritage. It’s more than just an accurate portrayal of her character; for many South Asians, it’s about cultural pride and seeing themselves represented in a story that shaped their childhood.
Ironically, if HBO’s goal was true diversity, casting an Indian actress would have been the obvious choice. Some fans have expressed frustration, saying that the outrage over Parvati’s casting has been unfairly framed, pointing out that with only a few South Asian characters in the franchise, representation carries extra weight. See what this fan has to say:
The people in the comment sections sickens me. Calling us indians racists just because we didn't say anything during Snape's casting. You ppl have a 100 white ppl to make up for that while us indians have only Parvati and Padma to. Grow up and try to understand others pov. https://t.co/t5IGvFbYjy
Many devoted fans of Harry Potter were expecting the reboot to align closely with the versions they had grown up with. Not just Leoni, but the decision to cast Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape did not sit well with some fans as well.
Will HBO’s New Snape Twist JK Rowling’s Intended Narrative?
The previous announcement that HBO would cast Essiedu, a black actor, as Snape, a character made unforgettable by Alan Rickman’s iconic performance, had already sparked a social media storm.
Fans argued that changing Snape’s race could “alter the story“, raising concerns that Harry’s dislike for Snape or the bullying he faces at school might now be seen as racially motivated. Many fans rooted in the original books are struggling to cope with the change, especially since Snape is one of the most detailed characters in the novel.
This is not the first time HBO has faced backlash over its casting choices. In 2023’s The Last of Us, fans criticised Bella Ramsey‘s portrayal of Ellie for not matching the video game character, claiming it “ruined” their experience. These instances have left viewers questioning whether HBO’s reboots are chasing diversity at the cost of authenticity.
What do you think about the casting choices? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
