7 Actors Who Could Play Snape in Harry Potter TV Reboot, Ranked

Which of these might be right for the role?

7. Kit Harington

Well, one thing we do know is black winter coats suit him. But is he too typecast as the good guy following his stint as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones – and will he feature in the rumoured spin-off?

Having played Robert Catesby in Gunpowder, he's demonstrated that he has more strings to his bow than just the 'bastard' hero. But it's difficult to see him committing to such a long-term project right now.

6. Max Irons

He's got the steely look that Alan Rickman carried off so well – and he comes from a family of great actors (his parents are Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack). And he was superb as CIA analyst Joe Tuner in Condor. He has to be in the running.

5. Arinzé Kene

Having already played an Auror in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Kene has had an insight into the Harry Potter universe and what it entails. Of course, the TV show will be very different from any of the movies, but if he impressed the producers in his previous role, he may have an advantage.

Despite appearing in 41 episodes of Eastenders, he's not been typecast and the world is still very much his oyster.

4. Nikesh Patel

Patel has done everything from comedy to sci-fi and has a very easygoing style of acting. Whether he's right for the role is very much dependent on how the casting directors are hoping Snape will be portrayed.

If they're going for the brooding Snape we remember from the films, others might be more suited. But if the younger Severus has a bit more youthful personality about him, Patel might be just the man.

3. Henry Golding

Another actor that has shown he has the gaze when portraying Snake Eyes in the film of the same name. He's not such a well-known name and face as the likes of Kit Harrington and (in the nicest possible way) has something of the Slytherins about him. A real contender.

2. Josh O'Connor

A varied career has set O'Connor up nicely for a role such as Severus Snape. Over the course of the series, we're almost certain to see multiple sides to the professor as he becomes the man we know from the original series. And with a plethora of different roles under his belt, Josh O'Connor could play them all.

1. Jonathan Bailey

Bailey looks arguably the most like Alan Rickman. So, if that's a contributing factor in the casting, he's certainly in with a shout. But you get the impression they're starting out with a blank canvas with the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

Fortunately for Jonathan Bailey, though, he's proved his versatility as an actor over the years with roles in Broadchurch, Dr Who and Bridgerton. Right now, he looks like the favourite.