Paapa Essiedu, who is set to play Professor Snape in HBO Max’s new “Harry Potter” series, has shared that all is not right in the wizarding world as he’s been receiving death threats since his casting. Many see the casting as controversial due to Essideu’s race, and the death threats have been overwhelmingly race-fuelled.
A Troubling Message
Essiedu stated to The Sunday Times of London in a new interview, “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you.’” He went on to explain the effects of these threats:
“It really matters. 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! 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. But 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.”
Taking it in stride as much as possible, Essiedu also explained his connection to J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series, saying, “I was an avid reader as a kid. My mum couldn’t afford a babysitter in the holidays, so she would take me to the library. I loved ‘Harry Potter.’ I never saw the films, but the books were escapism when other things were less easy for me.”
Jason Isaacs Defends Essiedu
Luckily, there are people in Essiedu’s corner. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original “Harry Potter” films, said of the backlash towards his casting, “Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen some people online being rude to him. What they’re being is racist. All the cast of the new ‘Harry Potter’ TV series are amazing. They will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what [Paapa] does on screen.”
Essiedu vs. J.K. Rowling
While Essiedu has praised Rowling’s writing, he does not share her politics. Rowling has been outspokenly transphobic in recent years, prompting many actors associated with the series to distance themselves from her and her controversial beliefs. This included Daniel Radcliffe, Michelle Gomez, and Essiedu himself, who signed an open letter to the U.K. Supreme Court condemning their ruling against transgender identity.
When asked if Rowling, who celebrated the anti-trans ruling on X, wanted Essiedu removed from the adaptation, she stated, “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did, I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
The Future of the Wizarding World
The controversies surrounding the new “Harry Potter” adaptation have been loud, but true fans are excited for this new take on the beloved story with a new cast and new format. The series is set to premiere on HBO Max in 2027 and stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Here’s to hoping the new series captures some of that special magic that’s had kids riding around the house on broomsticks and practicing spells during lunch for a new generation of viewers.
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