Overview

• HBO has cast Italian actress Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil in its Harry Potter reboot, which is slated to premiere in 2026.
• Fans have taken to social media to argue that casting an Italian actress overlooks the character’s Indian heritage and the cultural significance of her name.
• Critics say the decision reflects performative inclusivity and surface-level diversity rather than genuine South Asian representation.
• The original eight-film series cast British-Bangladeshi actors Shefali Chowdhury and Afshan Azad as the Patil twins after grassroots-level auditions.
• Earlier announcements—Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger—drew similar criticism for perceived departures from established character identities.