Paapa Essiedu Faced Race-Fuelled Death Threats After Being Cast as Snape in ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot

Paapa Essiedu has spoken out about the abuse he has faced since being cast as Professor Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the actor said some of the messages he received included serious threats.

“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he said. He explained that the messages are easy to find online, especially on social media. “If I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’” He added that even if he believes he will be safe, the situation still affects him. “Nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job… I’m playing a wizard in ‘Harry Potter.’ And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally.”

Essiedu has been chosen to play Snape, a key character in the story who was originally played by Alan Rickman. His casting has led to backlash from some fans online.

Despite the reaction, he said he is using the negativity as motivation. “The abuse fuels me… and makes me more passionate about making this character my own,” he said. He also spoke about how important representation is to him. “I would imagine myself at Hogwarts… the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That’s motivation.”

The actor shared that he grew up reading the books written by J. K. Rowling, even though he never watched the original films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. “I was an avid reader as a kid… I loved ‘Harry Potter.’ The books were escapism when other things were less easy for me,” he said.

The new series is expected to arrive in 2027 with a new cast. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, Arabella Stanton will take on Hermione, and Alastair Stout will play Ron.

Essiedu has signed on for a long-term deal and knows it will shape his future. “I’ll be 45 by the time I finish… I know my life is going to change in a big way,” he said, adding that the project is a major commitment.

The situation shows how strong fan reactions can get, especially with well-known stories like Harry Potter. At the same time, threats like these cross a clear line. Actors should not have to deal with this kind of behavior. What do you think about the backlash and the casting choice? Share your thoughts in the comments.