Draco Malfoy Actor in ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series Details Major Change for Character in New Show
Paapa Essiedu is opening up about a troubling reality.
The Shakespearean stage actor—who was announced to play Severus Snape (previously played by Alan Rickman) in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series—opened up about the racism he’s endured since joining the HBO show’s cast.
“It really matters,” he told The Times of London in an interview published March 21. “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 of receiving online criticism for being cast in the series. “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.”
But as hurtful as the comments are, Paapa noted how staying offline isn’t a viable option for escaping the hateful remarks.
