Paapa Essiedu Confronts Racist Abuse After Joining HBO's Harry Potter Series Paapa Essiedu, the actor cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, has spoken out about the racist abuse he has faced since joining the project. Essiedu, who is English of Ghanian descent, revealed that he has been subjected to threats, including messages like “Quit, or I’ll murder you,” during interviews with The Times. The actor emphasized that the backlash has been particularly intense due to his role in the iconic franchise, despite his extensive experience in television and theater, including performances as George Boleyn and Romeo. Essiedu described the nature of the abuse, noting that he has seen comments on social media warning him, “I’m going to come to your house and kill you.” While he hopes for his safety, he stressed that no one should have to endure such threats for doing their job. The actor acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation, stating that the abuse fuels his determination to make the character his own. He reflected on his childhood, imagining himself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and expressed pride in the idea that someone like him could be represented in the wizarding world. The casting of Essiedu as Snape has sparked controversy, particularly in light of J.K. Rowling’s past comments on trans rights. Essiedu previously signed an open letter supporting the trans community against a UK Supreme Court ruling that aligned with Rowling’s views. Rowling has since commented on the situation, stating she cannot sack actors from the series for holding differing beliefs. However, John Lithgow, who plays Albus Dumbledore, expressed concerns about Rowling’s stance and ultimately decided to remain in the project, citing the lack of transphobic elements in the Harry Potter canon.#hbo #paapa_essiedu #j_k_rowling #john_lithgow #harry_potter_series
