Papa Essiedu The magician is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in the world, but the reaction hasn’t been entirely magical. The actor has revealed he has faced serious backlash over his role as Snape, including harassing threats.
Harry Potter’s dad Essiedu is receiving death threats after playing Snape
Essiedu didn’t shy away from talking about the dark side of fans’ reactions The Sunday Times. The actor said he has received direct threats after playing the role of Professor Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series. “I’ve been told, ‘Leave or I’ll murder you,'” he shared, highlighting how intense the reaction has been.
He explained that abuse is not just occasional online noise. It appears regularly on social media. “If I look at Instagram I’ll see someone saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you,'” he said. While he tries to remain down-to-earth, Essiedu admitted that it still affects him emotionally, adding that no one should have to put up with such behavior just for doing their job. Many people risk their lives in their work. I play a wizard in ‘Harry Potter’. And I would be lying if I said it didn’t affect me emotionally,” said the actor.
This role carries the weight of a heavy legacy. Snape was famously played by Alan Rickman in the original films, making the character deeply tied to fans’ expectations. Essiedu’s casting sparked a backlash from a section of fans, but he’s choosing to turn that negativity into inspiration. “Misbehavior energizes me,” he said, adding that he wanted to make the role his own. Interestingly, the actor revealed that he grew up loving Harry Potter but never watched the original movies starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. “I loved ‘Harry Potter’.” …Books were escapist,” he said, recalling trips to the library with his mother as a child.
The upcoming HBO Max series is set to launch in 2027 with an all-new cast. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout play the lead roles. Essiedu has committed to a decade-long run, calling it a “big commitment” that will likely reshape his life and career.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya Mandatory.