Paapa Essiedu addressed reactions to his casting in the upcoming Harry Potter television series. He discussed his role as Severus Snape and the attention surrounding the project.
Paapa Essiedu on controversy surrounding his casting in Harry Potter TV show
Paapa Essiedu said he has received race-fuelled abuse and death threats following his casting as Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series. He told The Sunday Times, “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” and added, “If I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’” He stated, “Nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.”
Essiedu acknowledged the emotional impact of the abuse, saying, “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally.” He added that despite the threats, “while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this.” The actor emphasised that the backlash followed his casting in a role previously portrayed by Alan Rickman.
Essiedu said the response has also motivated him in his approach to the role. He stated, “The abuse fuels me,” and explained it has made him “more passionate about making this character my own.” He added that representation was significant, saying he thought about “the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world.”
The actor also spoke about his connection to the Harry Potter books, stating, “I was an avid reader as a kid.” He said, “My mum couldn’t afford a babysitter in the holidays, so she would take me to the library,” and added, “I loved ‘Harry Potter.’” He confirmed he had not watched the original films but described the books as “escapism when other things were less easy for me.”
The studio will launch the series in 2027 with a new cast, including Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout. Essiedu has signed a ten-year contract and said, “It was a big commitment,” adding, “I’ll be 45 by the time I finish.”
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