British actor Paapa Essiedu has opened up about receiving disturbing threats linked to his race following his announcement as Professor Snape in HBO Max's forthcoming "Harry Potter" series.

Speaking with The Sunday Times of London, Essiedu revealed the severity of the harassment he's faced. "I've been told, 'quit or I'll murder you,'" the actor disclosed during the conversation.

He elaborated on the troubling reality of social media abuse: "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."

The actor emphasized the disproportionate nature of the threats, noting: "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."

Essiedu's appointment as the Potions Master—a character famously portrayed by the late Alan Rickman—sparked controversy among certain segments of the fanbase, with his casting triggering racist backlash.

However, the performer refuses to be deterred by the hostility. "But the abuse fuels me," Essiedu stated, "and makes me more passionate about making this character my own, because I think of how I felt as a kid."

He reflected on the importance of representation: "I would imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That's motivation to not be intimidated by someone saying they'd rather I died instead of doing work I'm going to be really proud of."

Known for his roles in "Black Mirror" and "I May Destroy You," Essiedu shared an interesting detail—he's never watched the original film franchise featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Despite this, he grew up devoted to J.K. Rowling's literary works.

"I was an avid reader as a kid," he recalled. "My mum couldn't afford a babysitter in the holidays, so she would take me to the library. I loved 'Harry Potter.' I never saw the films but the books were escapism when other things were less easy for me."

The upcoming HBO Max production is scheduled to debut in 2027 with a fresh ensemble cast. The iconic trio will feature Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Essiedu has committed to a decade-long contract for the series, describing it as a "big commitment" to The Sunday Times. "I'll be 45 by the time I finish," he acknowledged, "and I know my life is going to change in a big way, but I have to just surrender to that. I could have children by the end of this."

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