Instagram/Paapa Essiedu & John Lith Celebrity Paapa Essiedu addresses racist death threats after his casting as Severus Snape in HBO's Harry Potter series. The actor reveals the severe backlash. March 24, 2026 AceShowbiz - Paapa Essiedu, who is set to portray Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, has publicly addressed the intense backlash following his casting announcement. The actor has revealed that the reaction to his role has escalated beyond mere criticism to include death threats and racist abuse.