Paapa Essiedu Stands Firm Amid Snape Casting Backlash and Threats

WHO:

Coming Soon - British actor Paapa Essiedu is cast as Professor Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming *Harry Potter* series.

Variety - Paapa Essiedu discussed portraying Snape and responding to backlash over his casting.

Variety - The article compares Essiedu’s look with Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape.

Screen Rant - HBO’s *Harry Potter* series has received divisive reactions before its release.

WHAT:

Coming Soon - Essiedu spoke about backlash to his casting as Snape, including online death threats, and discussed his creative approach to the character.

Variety - HBO released a first-look image of Essiedu as Snape.

Variety - Essiedu’s Snape has shoulder-length dreadlocks and a gothic look; his costume includes a zip-up leather jacket instead of Snape’s signature buttoned-up robes.

Variety - Essiedu said, “My priority is the work,” and said he “wouldn’t have taken this job on” if he could not handle the casting backlash.

Screen Rant - The new actor playing Severus Snape publicly addressed the casting backlash.

WHERE:

Coming Soon - The backlash and threats were discussed as occurring online.

WHY:

Variety - Essiedu said his ability to handle the backlash was a condition of taking the role, and described his priority as the work.

HOW:

Variety - The series’ first-look image presented a different visual interpretation of Snape from Alan Rickman’s, including dreadlocks, a gothic style, and a leather jacket.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 20:58 UTC)

Paapa Essiedu, cast as Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, addressed backlash over his casting. He said online death threats came with the role, but his priority remains the work. A first-look image shows his Snape with dreadlocks, gothic styling, and a leather jacket.