Manny Ita –
Actor Paapa Essiedu has revealed that he has received multiple racist death threats following his casting as Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series adaptation. In an interview with The Times UK, Essiedu described being targeted with vitriolic messages. “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he shared.
Essiedu, known for his role in I May Destroy You, will take over the role from the late Alan Rickman. Warner Bros Television plans for the actor to portray Snape for a decade. “Yes, this is a big commitment,” he said. “I’ll be 45 by the time I finish, and I know my life is going to change in a big way, but I have to just surrender to that.”
Having grown up reading JK Rowling’s novels, Essiedu described the books as providing “escapism.” He said the abusive comments about his casting have become a source of motivation. “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, nobody should have to encounter this for 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. But the abuse fuels me,” he explained.
Essiedu added that the threats have strengthened his dedication to the role. “And makes me more passionate about making this character my own, because I think of how I felt as a kid. I would imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That’s motivation.”
