Harry Potter: Paapa Essiedu looks back on the racist reactions linked to his casting
The new Severus Snape from the HBO series claims to have accepted the challenge knowingly. Despite the threats and insults, the actor wants above all to concentrate on his work.
Since the announcement of Paapa Essiedu in the role of Severus Snape for the new Harry Potter series, the British actor has been the target of racist reactions and death threats on social networks. But as the broadcast approaches, he assures that he approached the project with his eyes wide open.
Questioned by Variety during the TIME100 Next gala last week, the actor returned to this controversy and the support he received from the series team:
“The whole team has been extremely supportive. Obviously, my priority is work. I wouldn’t have accepted this role if I hadn’t been able to cope with all of this. But I’m going into this adventure with full knowledge of the facts. I understand the range of reactions to what we do, and I accept this responsibility with an open heart. I’ve also been overwhelmed by all the messages of support, encouragement and enthusiasm I’ve received.”
“Harry Potter” star Paapa Essiedu says he “wouldn’t have taken this job on” if he couldn’t handle the Snape casting backlash: “Obviously, my priority is the work. I wouldn’t take this job on (otherwise), but I walk into it with open eyes. I understand the broad spectrum of what the reaction to what we’re doing means, and I take that mantle on with an open and full heart. I’ve also been blown away by a lot of the support and well-wishes and excitement.” https://t.co/dde9F8VTTv
— Variety (@Variety) October 30, 2026
The actor had already spoken about the racist threats in an interview with the Sunday Times. He then explained that they had fueled his determination to make this character his own. Because this new Rogue will not quite resemble the one played by Alan Rickman in the eight films of the saga.
The first official photo of Paapa Essiedu in the potions professor’s costume revealed a more gothic appearance, with shoulder-length dreadlocks, a leather jacket and a long black cape:
“I think the aesthetic of the character is important. I don’t know if the style is necessarily at the forefront when I’m building the character, but his appearance says a lot about who he is and the image he wants to give to others. This was all thought out very carefully, in collaboration with the incredible costume team.”
Revealed in the United Kingdom, Paapa Essiedu made his mark by becoming in 2016 the first black actor to interpret Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He then received two BAFTA nominations for his roles in I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project. The Harry Potter series could now offer him unprecedented international exposure.
“I’m really proud of what I’ve seen so far. There are so many people who have worked hard on this project and to whom it means a lot. It’s been a long time coming. In all this time, a lot has been said. Now it’s time for people to see what we’ve done.”
The first season, adapted from the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling, will be available from December 25 on HBO Max.
