Paapa Essiedu is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in the wizarding world, but the reaction hasn’t been entirely magical. The actor has revealed that his casting as Snape has brought serious backlash, including disturbing threats.
Harry Potter’s Paapa Essiedu on receiving death threats after landing Snape role
Essiedu didn’t hold back while talking about the darker side of fan reactions to The Sunday Times. The actor said he has received direct threats after being cast as Professor Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series. “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he shared, highlighting how intense the response has been.
He explained that the abuse isn’t just occasional noise online. It shows up regularly 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 said. While he tries to stay grounded, Essiedu admitted that it still affects him emotionally, adding that no one should face this kind of treatment for simply doing their job. Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in ‘Harry Potter.’ And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally,” the actor said.
The role carries heavy legacy weight. Snape was famously portrayed by Alan Rickman in the original films, making the character deeply tied to fans’ expectations. Essiedu’s casting sparked backlash from a section of the fandom, but he’s choosing to channel that negativity into motivation. “The abuse fuels me,” he said, adding that he wants to make the role his own. Interestingly, the actor revealed he grew up loving Harry Potter but never watched the original films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. “I loved ‘Harry Potter.’ … the books were escapism,” he said, recalling childhood visits to the library with his mother.
The upcoming HBO Max series is gearing up for a 2027 launch with a brand-new cast. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout take on the core roles. Essiedu has committed to a decade-long run, calling it a “big commitment” that will likely reshape his life and career.
