Actor Paapa Essiedu recently opened up in an interview with The Sunday Times of London, revealing that he has been the target of brutal attacks and specific death threats. He will play Severus Snape in the new Harry Potter series.
The Brutal Reality of Social Media
Essiedu openly shared what he faces daily when he opens his social media profiles. “They told me: ‘Quit (the upcoming Harry Potter series, editor’s note) or I’ll kill you,’” he revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times of London. According to him, a single glance at Instagram brings messages like: “I’ll come to your house and kill you.”
Although the actor tries to stay cool, he admits it's not easy for anyone. “Even though I’m pretty sure no one’s going to kill me… that might age poorly! But yeah, even though I hope I’ll be okay, no one should have to face this just for doing their job. Many people risk their lives at work. I play a wizard in Harry Potter. I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally,” he told The Sunday Times.
Hate as Fuel for Motivation
Despite the toxic environment, Essiedu isn’t intimidated. Instead, the hate fuels his passion for the character of Snape. Representation, which he lacked in childhood, is key for him.
“It drives me,” he continued in the interview. “It makes me more passionate about owning this character. I think about how I felt as a kid. Imagining myself at Hogwarts on a broomstick. And the idea that a kid like me can see themselves in that world? That’s the motivation to not be scared off by someone who says they’d rather I die than do a job I’m really proud of,” he continued.
Why Quitting Social Media or Calling the Cops Doesn’t Help
When asked if avoiding social media would be easier, the actor has a clear answer. Ignoring it won’t make the problem disappear, calling it “endemic,” and friends and family, concerned for his safety, share the information with him anyway.
Surprisingly, he doesn't rush to report threats to the police. “I don’t think it would help me if some seventeen-year-old kid goes to jail for two weeks for threatening me. I wouldn’t feel any better,” he concluded.
