Alan Rickman as Severus Snape looking broody in Harry Potter.
The new Harry Potter series has already brought plenty of debate with it, but Paapa Essiedu has now revealed just how ugly some of that reaction has become. The actor, who is set to play Severus Snape in HBO’s adaptation, said he has received death threats and racist abuse since his casting was announced.
It is the darkest public comment yet from one of the show’s key stars, and a reminder of how quickly major franchise discourse can turn vicious. In an interview with The Times, Essiedu said the messages he has received have gone far beyond criticism. He said: “I’ve been told, ‘Quit, or I’ll murder you.' The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ While I hope I’ll be okay, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.” Essiedu, who is English and of Ghanaian descent, said this is the most vicious backlash he has faced in his career. He also made clear that, while he has not reported the threats, he cannot simply pretend they do not exist. “Even if you successfully ignore it, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening,” he said. Related Russell Up the Knowledge That You Keri — The Collider TV Quiz! Rustle up the knowledge that you carry about Keri Russell, and see what you can recall about her shows and roles. Posts By Macklen Makhloghi Will Paapa Essiedu Quit 'Harry Potter'? At the same time, the actor said he is refusing to let that abuse push him out of the role. “The abuse fuels me,” Essiedu said. “And makes me more passionate about making this character my own, because I think of how I felt as a kid. I would imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That’s motivation to not be intimidated by someone saying they’d rather I died instead of doing work I’m going to be really proud of.” The HBO series first announced Essiedu as Snape in April 2025. He is part of the show’s core adult cast alongside John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. Essiedu also acknowledged that signing on to Harry Potter is a huge commitment. In the same interview, he said, “I’ll be 45 by the time I finish, and I know my life is going to change in a big way, but I have to just surrender to that.” Harry Potter Like Adventure Family Fantasy Showrunner Francisca Gardiner Directors Mark Mylod Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
HBO Harry Potter Star Finally Speaks Up About Online Death ThreatsJennifer has been a journalist for over a decade. She has covered a wide range of topics such as TV, comics, gaming, politics, and finance.
Read more »
‘Harry Potter’ Series Star Paapa Essiedu Says He’s Received Death Threats for Snape Casting“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” the actor told 'The Times.'
Read more »
The Harry Potter Reboot’s Snape Actor Reveals Death Threats Over CastingNew Snape actor Paapa Essiedu has revealed concerning reactions to his casting in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter reboot.
Read more »
Harry Potter Reboot Star Paapa Essiedu Receives Death Threats, Highlighting Online Toxicity and Fan BacklashActor Paapa Essiedu, cast in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot, reveals he's been targeted with death threats, sparking discussions about online toxicity, racism, and the challenges of fandom in the face of diverse casting. The article explores the actor's response, the controversies surrounding the project, and the importance of creating a safer environment for those involved.
Read more »
Harry Potter TV Star Addresses Racist Online 'Abuse'Paapa Essiedu addresses online trolls angry over his ‘Harry Potter’ casting as Snape, a role made famous by Alan Rickman
Read more »
Harry Potter Show’s Paapa Essiedu Says He Got Death Threats Over Snape CastingPaapa Essiedu addresses backlash and threats over his Severus Snape casting in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Read more »