After being cast as stern potions professor Severus Snape, the acclaimed actor says he’s been told online, “Quit, or I’ll murder you.”

Harry Potter star Paapa Essiedu details racist ‘abuse’ he suffered after joining upcoming TV show adaptation

After being cast as stern potions professor Severus Snape, the acclaimed actor says he's been told online, "Quit, or I'll murder you."

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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March 22, 2026 11:01 p.m. ET

Paapa Essiedu in New York City in 2024. Credit:

Santiago Felipe/Getty

- Paapa Essiedu says he's been subject to racist "abuse" after being cast as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming *Harry Potter *series.

- Essiedu told *The Times *he's been told, "'Quit, or I'll murder you.'"

- Essiedu previously signed an open letter standing with the trans community against a U.K. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a motion supported by *Harry Potter *author J.K. Rowling.

Paapa Essiedu is speaking out on "abuse" he's endured since being cast as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming *Harry Potter** *series.

"I've been told, 'Quit, or I'll murder you,'" the actor told *The Times* in career-spanning interview published Saturday.

Essiedu is English of Ghanian descent. Though he's played famous figures like George Boleyn (Channel 5's *Anne Boleyn*) and beloved characters from the literary canon (he played Romeo in a 2015 production of *Romeo and Juliet*) alike, he shared that the *Harry Potter *casting has brought out the most vicious racist backlash.

"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,'" he said. "While I hope I'll be okay, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job."

Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow, and Janet McTeer, stars of the 'Harry Potter' TV series.

Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage;Dave Benett/Getty;Michael Loccisano/Getty

Essiedu and the *Harry Potter *series' core adult cast were announced last April. The *I May Destroy You Star *was picked to bring new life to the role played by Alan Rickman in the film series, which closely adapted the novels by controversial author J.K. Rowling.

Joining Essiedu at Hogwarts and beyond are John Lithgow, who was cast as the sage schoolmaster Albus Dumbledore; Janet McTeer, who will play senior teacher Minerva McGonagall; and Nick Frost, who steps into the role of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid.

Essiedu is keenly aware of the "big commitment" the series will impose on his life, the actor told *The Times.*

"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. I could have children by the end of this," he continued.

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The size of the commitment plays a role in Essiedu's response to the hate he's received.

"Many people put their lives on the line in their work," he said. "I'm playing a wizard in *Harry Potter*. And I'd be lying if I said it doesn't affect me emotionally."

But he's resolved to rise above: "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. 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."

Alan Rickman played wizard Severus Snape in the 'Harry Potter' film franchise. Murray Close/Warner Bros.

Essiedu said that while he hasn't reported any of the death threats, he can't dismiss them either.

"Even if you successfully ignore it, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening... The issue remains endemic and, anyway, people see stuff and message to ask if I’m okay," he said.

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The *Harry Potter *series has already played host to some controversy. Rowling, who has been widely condemned for espousing views deemed anti-trans, commented last May on Essiedu signing an open letter standing in solidarity with the trans community after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a motion she supported, which sought to tie the legal definition of womanhood to biological sex.

"I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series," she said, regarding speculation that she may take action against Essiedu based on his opposing stance. "I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."

Lithgow shared on Friday that he considered quitting the series due to Rowling's views. Ultimately he decided to remain as Dumbledore, noting, "If you read through the *Harry Potter* canon, you see absolutely no trace of transphobic sensibility."

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