Paapa Essiedu says stepping into one of the most iconic roles in the Harry Potter universe has come with a disturbing reality: racist abuse and death threats. The actor, who will portray Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming reboot, revealed that since his casting was announced, he has received messages telling him to “quit or I’ll murder you.”
In a recent interview with USA Today, Essiedu described the intensity of the harassment, noting that even a quick scroll through social media can expose him to threats. “If I look at Instagram, I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you,’” he said.
While he expressed hope for his safety, he acknowledged the emotional toll, adding that “nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.”
Essiedu’s casting marks a major shift for the Harry Potter franchise, where Snape was originally portrayed by Alan Rickman across eight films beginning in 2001.
Rickman famously approached the character as deeply layered and emotionally restrained, once describing him as “complicated” and driven by hidden motivations.
That interpretation helped define Snape as both a rigid authority figure and a quietly heroic presence—an arc Essiedu now inherits for a new generation.
Despite the backlash, Essiedu says the experience has strengthened his commitment to the role. “The abuse fuels me,” he said, explaining that representation matters to him on a personal level. He recalled imagining himself at Hogwarts as a child, and now sees his casting as an opportunity for others to feel included in that world.
He also noted he has not reported the threats, suggesting punitive action against individuals would not bring him peace.
Support for Essiedu has come from within the franchise. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original films, defended the casting and directly called out the criticism, saying those attacking Essiedu online are “being racist.”
Meanwhile, the broader HBO series has already faced scrutiny over author J.K. Rowling’s involvement and ongoing debates over her public statements on trans rights.
Essiedu has voiced support for the trans community, stating artists “have a right to be treated with dignity and should be able to work without being intimidated.”
