Paapa Essiedu, approved for the role of Severus Snape in the HBO series based on "Harry Potter", said that after the casting announcement, he began receiving threats from angry fans. In an interview with The Times, the actor admitted that he regularly encounters aggressive messages on social networks, including direct threats of violence.
According to Essiedu, part of the negative reaction is due to the fact that his appearance does not correspond to the description of the character in the books by J.K. Rowling. This caused a wave of criticism among some of the audience, who perceived the casting as a departure from the canon. However, the actor himself believes that many comments hide not only dissatisfaction with the adaptation, but also racism.
The actor emphasizes that what is happening affects him emotionally, but he is not going to give up the role. On the contrary, the negative reaction has increased his motivation:
"This negativity only fuels me. It further motivates me to make this character my own, because I remember how I felt as a child. I imagined myself at Hogwarts on a broom, and the thought that a child like me could see himself in this world. It motivates me not to be afraid of those who say they would rather I die than do work that I will be truly proud of."
The premiere of the first season of "Harry Potter" is scheduled for the first half of 2027.