Paapa Essiedu, the actor set to play Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot, isn’t just casting spells on screen—he’s casting his lot with the trans community in real life. Essiedu has added his name to a powerful open letter slamming the UK Supreme Court’s decision to exclude trans women from the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act.
The letter, co-authored by Sid Strickland and Jack Casey and signed by over 400 TV and film professionals, declares solidarity with trans, non-binary, and intersex people “impacted by the Supreme Court ruling.” The letter also serves as a bold counter to JK Rowling, who funded the case with a hefty £70,000 donation and wasted no time toasting the verdict online with cocktails and a celebratory cigar.
Standing Up in Hollywood’s Spotlight
Alongside Essiedu, major names like Eddie Redmayne, Bella Ramsey, and Nicola Coughlan have lent their voices to the cause. The letter calls out the ruling for what it is—“a threat to the safety and lived reality of trans people”—and urges the entertainment industry to step up. “Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education,” the letter proclaims. “We believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds.”
While Rowling basks in her so-called “TERF VE Day,” complete with smug A-Team references, it’s actors like Essiedu who are redefining heroism. His stance is especially notable given the toxic undercurrent still surrounding anything related to Harry Potter. That an actor cast as one of the franchise’s most iconic characters would take such a public stand sends a strong signal: the future of entertainment won’t bend to transphobia.
A Moment of Reckoning for the UK
The Supreme Court ruling doesn’t just chip away at the rights of trans women—it also threatens to unravel protections across institutions and workplaces that once championed inclusivity. Public bodies are now expected to rewrite their policies to match this biologically reductive decision, narrowing access to single-sex spaces and putting vulnerable people at greater risk.
This has triggered a wave of resistance from the UK’s creative community, who remember that they stood united during Me Too and Black Lives Matter—and are now pledging to do the same for gender justice. “We must ensure our trans colleagues and audiences are protected from discrimination and harassment,” the letter insists.
Why It Matters for the Queer Community
Essiedu’s signature, and the surge of others joining in, is a reminder that real allyship isn’t silent. At a time when trans rights are under global siege, this public show of support isn’t just timely—it’s vital. The LGBTQ+ community, especially trans people in the UK, face increasing institutional hurdles. The entertainment industry, long a lifeline for queer expression, is now being called to serve not just as representation—but as resistance.
So while the old guard cheers from behind their screens and scotch glasses, a new wave of queer solidarity is rising. And this time, Snape’s got our back.