US Edition'Harry Potter' TV Star Addresses Racist 'Abuse' After Joining Series
Paapa Essiedu faces racist death threats after being cast as Snape in HBO's Harry Potter series amid his outspoken support for trans rights, highlighting ongoing online abuse.
- On Saturday, Paapa Essiedu said he has faced racist death threats since joining HBO's Harry Potter series, including messages like 'Quit or I'll murder you' and 'I'm going to come to your house and kill you.'
- After his April 2025 casting announcement, backlash targeted Paapa Essiedu as a Black actor stepping into a role first played by Alan Rickman, alongside his opposition to J.K. Rowling's views and a petition group.
- Production began last July at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, U.K., with reports in December 2024 and April confirming Dominic McLaughlin, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer and Nick Frost in the cast.
- Essiedu says the abuse affects him emotionally but 'the abuse fuels me' and he appreciates support from the production team while doubting jail terms for teen threats would help.
- The series is set to launch next year, with Warner Bros. Television planning for Essiedu to play Snape for about a decade and expect to be 45 upon completion.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Harry Potter star told 'quit or I'll murder you' as actor opens up on death threats after joining HBO series
Paapa Essiedu has revealed that he has been subjected to racist death threats following his casting as Professor Snape in the forthcoming HBO Max Harry Potter adaptation
'Harry Potter' TV Star Addresses Racist 'Abuse' After Joining Series
Paapa Essiedu says that he received an onslaught of allegedly racist and violent criticism shortly after it was announced he would be playing Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series. “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,” Essiedu, 35, told The Times of London in a Saturday, March 21, profile. “While I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encou…
Harry Potter TV series star says he has received death threats over taking Snape role: "I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally"
Paapa Essiedu has said he has received death threats following his casting in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.The British actor, known for his turns in I May Destroy You and The Capture, will portray the iconic and enigmatic character Severus Snape in the HBO Max adaptation of JK Rowling's much-loved novels.Speaking to The Sunday Times, Essiedu has shared that abusive responses to his casting in the show, which will premiere in early 2027, h…
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