Paapa Essiedu Says He Has Received Racist Death Threats Over His 'Harry Potter' Casting

Paapa Essiedu says he has received death threats after being cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television show.

The 35-year-old actor spoke with The Times in a new profile piece that was published on Saturday (March 21) and detailed some of the racism and harassment he’s been dealing with since the casting announcement was made public.

“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” Paapa said.

“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,” he continued. “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.”

Before Paapa, the role was played by Alan Rickman in the live-action Harry Potter films.

But while seeing that kind of vitriol online might be difficult, Paapa says it “fuels” him and makes him even “more passionate about making this character” his own, reflecting back on how he 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 to not be intimidated by someone saying they’d rather I died instead of doing work I’m going to be really proud of,” said the I May Destroy You alum.

Asked if he could simply stay offline, the actor said that even ignoring it “doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”

“The issue remains endemic and, anyway, people see stuff and message to ask if I’m OK,” he explained.

The show and the cast have also received intense criticism because of its inherent involvement with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has been public about her anti-trans views.

Paapa‘s co-star John Lithgow, who will play Albus Dumbledore, recently said he considered quitting over the intense backlash regarding Rowling.