Paapa Essiedu says he's been subject to racist "abuse" after being cast as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series.
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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 upcomingHarry Potterseries.
"I've been told, 'Quit, or I'll murder you,'" the actor toldThe Timesin career-spanning interview published Saturday.
Essiedu is English of Ghanian descent. Though he's played famous figures like George Boleyn (Channel 5'sAnne Boleyn) and beloved characters from the literary canon (he played Romeo in a 2015 production ofRomeo and Juliet) alike, he shared that theHarry Pottercasting 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."
Essiedu and theHarry Potterseries' core adult castwere announced last April. TheI May Destroy You Starwas 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 toldThe 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.
The size of the commitment plays a role in Essiedu's response to the hate he's received.
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"Many people put their lives on the line in their work," he said. "I'm playing a wizard inHarry 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."
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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TheHarry Potterseries has already played host to some controversy. Rowling, who has beenwidely condemnedfor espousing views deemed anti-trans, commented last May onEssiedu signing an open letterstanding 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 heconsidered quitting the seriesdue to Rowling's views. Ultimately he decided to remain as Dumbledore, noting, "If you read through theHarry Pottercanon, you see absolutely no trace of transphobic sensibility."
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