Young actor Papa Essiedu has revealed that he experienced a wave of online abuse after being cast in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, where he will portray the well-known character Severus Snape.

According to Essiedu, he received numerous offensive messages on social media, including racist comments and serious death threats. He shared that some messages directly told him to step down from the role, describing the experience as shocking and unacceptable. He emphasized that no one should face such treatment simply because of their work.

Despite the negativity, Essiedu stated that the criticism has pushed him to become more determined and passionate about the role. He explained that he has a personal connection to the Harry Potter universe, as he grew up reading the original books by J. K. Rowling.

Interestingly, the actor mentioned that he has not watched the original film adaptations starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, but he remains a devoted fan of the book series.

The new Harry Potter series is expected to present a fresh interpretation of the story with a completely new cast. It is also planned to be a long-term project that could last up to ten years, potentially making it a defining role in Essiedu’s career.

The series is anticipated to be released in 2027, introducing a new generation of actors to one of the most popular fictional worlds.

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