Paapa Essiedu says he has been told to quit the role or face murder, with disturbing threats flooding his social media. Despite the abuse, the actor remains determined to take on Snape and make the role his own.
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Paapa Essiedu, the actor set to step into one of the most iconic roles in the wizarding world, has revealed a chilling truth behind the excitement; he has been flooded with race-fuelled death threats over his casting as Professor Snape in the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series.
And yes, it’s as ugly as it sounds.
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In a candid chat with The Sunday Times of London, Essiedu did not sugarcoat his experience.
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“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he said, recalling the kind of messages landing in his inbox.
The actor explained that it’s not just empty noise on the internet. It’s relentless and deeply unsettling. Social media, especially Instagram, has become a place where threats feel alarmingly real.
He shared that people have gone as far as saying they would come to his house and kill him. While he tries to brush it off with some uneasy humour, the emotional impact is very real.
“Nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job,” he said plainly.
And that’s the uncomfortable truth. Essiedu isn’t playing a controversial political figure or taking on a risky mission. He’s playing a fictional wizard.
Essiedu is stepping into the shoes of Alan Rickman, whose portrayal of the brooding potions master Severus Snape remains deeply loved by fans.
It’s a role with history, emotion, and intense fan loyalty. But his casting has triggered backlash from a section of toxic fans, particularly those unhappy with a Black actor taking on the character.
The new ‘Harry Potter’ adaptation, set to stream on HBO Max in 2027, promises a fresh take with an almost entirely new cast.
The young trio will be played by Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron).
Still, it is Essiedu’s Snape that has become the lightning rod for controversy.
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