Harry Potter Star Paapa Essiedu Faces Death Threats Since TV Series Casting

The actor, set to play Severus Snape, details the racist backlash he's received online since joining the HBO show's cast.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Paapa Essiedu, the British actor cast to play Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, has opened up about the death threats and racist abuse he has faced since the announcement of his role. Essiedu, known for his Shakespearean stage work, said he has received disturbing messages on social media, including people threatening to come to his home and kill him. While the 35-year-old actor said he is "pretty sure" he won't actually be murdered, he expressed how the hateful comments have taken an emotional toll, noting that "nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job."

Why it matters

Essiedu's experience highlights the ongoing problem of racism and harassment that actors of color often face, especially when taking on high-profile roles. As one of the most beloved fantasy franchises, the Harry Potter universe has a large and passionate fanbase, some of whom have reacted negatively to the casting of a Black actor in the role of Severus Snape, previously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman. This backlash speaks to the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, as well as the responsibility of fans to be more accepting of creative choices that challenge traditional representations.

The details

In an interview with The Times of London, Essiedu detailed the disturbing messages he has received since being cast in the Harry Potter TV series, including people telling him they will "come to your house and kill you." While the actor said he is "pretty sure" he won't actually be murdered, he expressed how the hateful comments have taken an emotional toll, noting that "nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job." Essiedu, who was announced as part of the show's cast in April 2025 alongside other notable actors, revealed that he has not reported the death threats, explaining that "I don't think some 17-year-old boy being put in jail for two weeks for threatening to murder me would actually make me feel any better." Instead, the 35-year-old is using the negativity to fuel his passion for the role, determined to make the character of Severus Snape his own.

  • Essiedu was announced as part of the Harry Potter TV series cast in April 2025.

The players

Paapa Essiedu

A British actor known for his Shakespearean stage work, who has been cast to play the role of Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

Alan Rickman

The late actor who previously portrayed the character of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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—that could age badly!”

— Paapa Essiedu

“But, yes, while I hope I'll be OK, 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.”

— Paapa Essiedu

“The abuse fuels me, and makes me more passionate about making this character my own, because I think of how I felt as a kid.”

— Paapa Essiedu

The takeaway

Essiedu's experience highlights the ongoing problem of racism and harassment that actors of color often face when taking on high-profile roles, especially in beloved franchises with passionate fanbases. This backlash speaks to the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, as well as the responsibility of fans to be more accepting of creative choices that challenge traditional representations.