By Ehichoya Janet
English actor Paapa Essiedu has revealed that he has been receiving death threats since being cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series.
The 35-year-old stage and screen actor opened up about the racist abuse he has faced following the announcement of the HBO production, noting that the threats have taken a toll on his mental health.
Speaking on the issue, Essiedu said he has encountered disturbing messages on social media.
“It really matters. 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.’ So, while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered, that could age badly, but, yes, while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job,” he said.
He added that the situation is particularly troubling given the nature of his work.
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“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 stated.
Despite the abuse, Essiedu stated that he has no plans to withdraw from social media, stressing that ignoring the problem does not make it disappear.
“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 OK,” he added.