Paapa Essiedu has responded to the backlash over his casting as Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Some fans have objected to a Black actor playing the character, who has traditionally been portrayed as white.
In an interview with Time, Essiedu said he first encountered the story through the books and acknowledged that people have strong feelings about the casting. He said he was focusing on the role itself, aiming to bring humanity, depth and complexity to a character with many layers. Essiedu described the part as a privilege and an honour.
The actor has previously spoken about receiving death threats over the role. In March 2026, he told The Sunday Times that messages had included threats to kill him, adding that the abuse affected him emotionally and that nobody should face it for doing their job.
Essiedu has also said the response from the production team has been supportive. In an interview with Variety, he noted that he had received encouragement, well-wishes and excitement about his casting, despite the hostility he has encountered online.
Essiedu will star alongside Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore. The Harry Potter series is scheduled to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day 2026.
Sources: TVLine.