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
Paapa Essiedu on Facing Death Threats for Playing Snape in HBO’s Harry Potter Series Actor Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot series, has disclosed that he has received death threats from fans following the announcement of his role. Essiedu, known for his performances in shows like Black Mirror and I May Destroy You, revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times of London that the backlash has been intense and racially charged. “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” Essiedu said, describing the nature of the threats. He emphasized that while he does not believe he will be harmed, the presence of such messages online has left him deeply unsettled. “If I look at Instagram, I’ll see someone saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ That could age badly, but yes, it affects me emotionally.” Essiedu added that he hopes to see an end to such hostility, noting that many people risk their lives in their work, and he is merely playing a wizard in a fictional world. The casting of Essiedu as Snape, a role previously portrayed by Alan Rickman in the original film series, sparked significant online backlash from fans. Essiedu acknowledged the criticism but stated that the abuse has, in some way, fueled his determination to bring his own interpretation to the character. “The abuse fuels me,” he said. “It makes me more passionate about making this character my own. I think of how I felt as a kid, imagining myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks. The idea that someone like me can see themselves represented in that world is motivation to not be intimidated by threats.” Essiedu, who has never seen the original Harry Potter films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, admitted he was a devoted reader of J.K. Rowling’s books as a child.#hbo #harry_potter #paapa_essiedu #alan_rickman #dominic_mclaughlin
