Paapa Essiedu, star of the “Harry Potter” series, has reportedly received death threats following his casting as Snape.
Paapa Essiedu, star of the “Harry Potter” series, has admitted that intense online abuse has been affecting him since taking on a new role.
He revealed that he has received race-related death threats following his casting as Professor Snape in the upcoming HBO Max adaptation.
Paapa Essiedu shared in a recent interview that he has been told, “Quit or I’ll murder you,” adding that he regularly sees threatening messages online, including people claiming they will come to his home. While he expressed confidence that he will be safe, he stressed that no one should have to face such abuse simply for doing their job.
He said that although the situation is disturbing, he tries to channel the experience into his work. “Abuse fuels me,” he explained, adding that it motivates him to make the character his own and reflects on his childhood.
Essiedu, who stars as a wizard in the “Harry Potter” series, acknowledged that the role has had an emotional impact on him. He also noted that he had not seen the original films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, though he was a fan of J.K. Rowling’s books as a child.
He has committed to the series for a decade, saying he will be 45 by the time it concludes and that it could bring major changes to his life.
The new “Harry Potter” series is expected to premiere on HBO Max in 2027 with a largely new cast, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
About the Author
