After facing a lot of intense backlash, British-Ghanian actor Paapa Essiedu has finally spoken about why he chose to play one of the most famous and debated roles in fantasy TV, the enigmatic character of Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter‘ series.
Essiedu’s casting was announced in April last year, along with stars like John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid. However, it quickly led to controversy, with much of the criticism focused on race.
Paapa Essiedu On Facing Death Threats Over ‘Harry Potter’ Role
The 35-year-old, who is known for his work in ‘I May Destroy You‘ and on stage, said the negative reception has only made him more determined.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Essiedu revealed that he received serious, racially abusive death threats after the casting news.
“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he recounted. “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.”
The actor admitted the emotional toll, saying that “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me.” However, he has not let it stop him, and instead, he said the hate pushes him to work harder to make the character his own.
Childhood Love For ‘Harry Potter’ Books Gives Him Strength
So, what made him commit to a project that could last well over a decade and keep him in the role into his mid-40s? For Essiedu, it goes back to his childhood.
“My mum couldn’t afford a babysitter in the holidays, so she would take me to the library,” he said. I loved ‘Harry Potter.’ I never saw the films, but the books were escapism when other things were less easy for me.”
In case you missed: Keira Knightley Proves She Understands The Most Hated ‘Harry Potter’ Character
That very personal connection is what convinced Essiedu to take on the role. “The themes that run through Harry Potter are of love triumphing over hate – of acceptance. And that’s why I’m doing it,” he confessed.
He also spoke about how important representation is to him. He hopes that young fans who look like him will be able to see themselves in the wizarding world.
Essiedu added, “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.”
Paapa Essiedu Stands Firm On Talent Over Controversy
Surprisingly, Paapa Essiedu has never met J.K. Rowling. Even though they have different public views, especially as he has supported trans rights and spoken about respect for trans artists, the production has continued to support him.
“Look, at the end of the day, I got this job on the merit of my talent,” the actor made it clear. “And so if that was the reason I got kicked off this job, then it wouldn’t be a project I’d want to work on anyway.“
Now, as filming begins for the highly anticipated adaptation, Essiedu remains confident and unfazed. In a story known for standing up against hate, his decision to take on the role of Severus Snape, despite the threats, reflects the same values found in the ‘Harry Potter‘ series.
For a new generation of fans discovering Hogwarts, this version of Snape may look different, but the magic and message remain the same.
You might also want to read: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Katie Leung Reveals Why She Wouldn’t Want To Relive Her Hogwarts Days
