Paapa Essiedu reports death threats following Snape casting in 'Harry Potter' series

Paapa Essiedu has said he received death threats after being cast as Professor Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, highlighting ongoing concerns around online abuse faced by actors.

The British actor, who will portray the potions master in the HBO Max adaptation, revealed the scale of the response in a recent interview with The Sunday Times of London. He said, "I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’" and described further messages he had encountered online.

He added, "It really matters. 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.’ So while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered…That could age badly! But, yes, while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job."

Essiedu acknowledged the emotional impact of the abuse, stating, "And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally." His casting as Snape, a role previously portrayed by Alan Rickman, has prompted criticism from some sections of the fanbase.

Despite this, the actor said the reaction has strengthened his resolve. He said, "But the abuse fuels me. And makes me more passionate about making this character my own." He also spoke about the importance of representation, explaining that seeing oneself reflected in fictional worlds can be meaningful for younger audiences.

Essiedu, known for roles in Black Mirror and I May Destroy You, said he had been an avid reader of the Harry Potter books as a child, even though he had not watched the original films. He noted: "I loved ‘Harry Potter.’ I never saw the films but the books were escapism when other things were less easy for me."

The new series, expected to launch in 2027, will feature a largely new cast and is planned as a long-term project spanning several years.