Paapa Essiedu speaks out about threats following his casting in Harry Potter: “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me”
The British actor will be one of the key faces in HBO’s highly anticipated series.
The new ‘Harry Potter’ series will arrive sooner than expected. With its premiere scheduled for next December, the release of its first trailer has already been enough to turn it into one of the most anticipated productions of the year. Among the characters that have sparked conversation is Severus Snape, the Hogwarts professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, who will be portrayed in this new version by Paapa Essiedu.
Since its announcement, the project has not been free of controversy, and Essiedu’s casting has been one of the most hotly debated topics among parts of the fandom. Some of the criticism has gone far beyond artistic discussion, something the actor has addressed bluntly: “nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.”
An actor who breaks his silence in the face of negativity
In an interview with The Times, Essiedu revealed the level of hostility he faces on a daily basis. According to the actor, every time he checks his Instagram messages, he encounters extremely violent comments, including direct death threats like ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ “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,” he admitted.
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Rather than making him step back, Essiedu says the criticism has strengthened his commitment to the role, especially when it comes to building his own version of the character without trying to replicate Alan Rickman’s iconic performance. “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?” he explained.
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