Harry Potter star Paapa Essiedu says he’s faced death threats since being cast as Snape in the new TV series

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Paapa Essiedu, known for his role in Harry Potter, has revealed he’s received death threats after being chosen to play Severus Snape in the upcoming TV series.

The 35-year-old actor is filming a new HBO series in Watford, scheduled to be released in 2027. He recently shared his experiences with racist abuse he’s faced.

In a recent interview, he revealed that he’s been receiving death threats from online trolls who object to him, a Black man, portraying a wizard in a fictional story. They’ve told him to ‘quit or face murder’.

I’ll never forget Alan Rickman playing that part in the Harry Potter films – the ones with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. He just was that character for me, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role.

He explained to The Sunday Times that he regularly receives death threats on Instagram, with people posting messages like, ‘I’m coming to your house to kill you.’ He believes no one should have to experience such threats simply for doing their job.

A lot of jobs involve real risk and sacrifice. I’m currently acting as a wizard in Harry Potter, and honestly, it’s emotionally challenging. However, the negativity I experience actually motivates me.

Thinking about how I felt as a child—dreaming of being at Hogwarts and flying on a broomstick—really fuels my desire to make this character my own. The idea that a kid like me could see themselves in that world is incredibly motivating, and it helps me overcome any hesitation or fear.

He also mentioned he hadn’t reported the messages because he didn’t think seeing someone punished would have helped him feel any better.

Paapa shared that he grew up attending a school in east London where prejudice was common, including racism, sexism, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

The interview also covered his stance on transgender rights, and how his views differ from those of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.

Last year, he joined an open letter protesting a Supreme Court ruling that defined ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ solely by biological characteristics – a decision J.K. Rowling publicly supported.

Despite facing calls for his removal from the role after he was cast, he maintains he doesn’t regret expressing his opinion, stating that transgender artists deserve respect.

This news follows John Lithgow’s recent confession that he nearly declined the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films due to strong negative reactions from fans and fellow actors.

When the 80-year-old actor was announced for the role last October, he faced immediate criticism from fans who asked him to withdraw from the project due to J.K. Rowling’s controversial opinions on transgender rights.

Last month, Aud Mason-Hyde, a non-binary actor who previously worked with John on the show Jimpa, publicly stated that his casting in the series was ‘hurtful and difficult’.

I was really surprised to hear John say that the negative reaction to his work actually hurt him quite a bit. He even told The New York Times it got so bad he seriously thought about leaving the show altogether. It’s tough to see someone you admire going through that, but I respect him for being honest about it.

John stated he disagrees with JK Rowling’s views on transgender rights. He also emphasized that the Harry Potter stories are fundamentally about being against prejudice and supporting tolerance.

J.K. Rowling has received significant backlash in recent years due to her views on gender, which some consider critical of transgender people. While she rejects accusations of transphobia, she previously stated she would willingly accept imprisonment for using incorrect pronouns for a transgender person.

John, a well-known actor, is joining the cast of a new HBO series based on the popular franchise. The show will premiere almost 15 years after the last movie was released.

John acknowledged that accepting the position means he’ll be asked about this decision in every future interview he gives.

After the news came out, John shared that a friend whose child is transgender sent him an article titled ‘An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away From Harry Potter.’ He confessed that reading it made him feel uneasy.

John recently responded to criticism, criticizing the author’s seemingly contradictory and confusing opinions about transgender women. He also stated that she doesn’t have a significant role in the show’s production.

I’m so excited for the new series! It’s fantastic to see JK, at 60, involved as an executive producer. And the casting is just perfect – Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Hagrid? Brilliant! I can’t wait to see them bring those characters to life.

Actor John said deciding to appear in the upcoming TV show, scheduled for release in 2027, was a difficult choice, especially considering the negative reaction from some fans.

He explained to Variety that he takes J.K. Rowling’s controversial views on transgender rights very seriously, but he’s prepared for disagreement and accepts that not everyone will agree with his decision to continue working with her.

John explained that she’s built a really influential collection of work for young audiences, and it’s quickly become widely known. It centers around the classic themes of good versus evil and kindness versus cruelty.

‘I find her views ironic and inexplicable.

I find it frustrating when people object to my involvement, but within the established ‘Harry Potter’ storyline, there’s absolutely no consideration given to issues of transphobia.

The actor explained that he had never met J.K. Rowling and, although she created the world the HBO show is based on, she wasn’t actively involved in making the show itself.

He spoke highly of the production team, calling their work outstanding. He finished by saying he was upset that people wanted him to quit, but he ultimately decided to stay and finish the job.

Shortly after this interview, Aud, John’s co-star in Jimpa who identifies as non-binary, expressed their disappointment about his being cast in the role.

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2026-03-22 14:34