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HBO’s “Harry Potter” showrunner Francesca Gardiner is condemning the “abuse” being directed at Paapa Essiedu, the “I May Destroy You” Emmy nominee who is taking over the role of Professor Severus Snape in the first
television series adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s literary franchise. Essiedu has been outspoken since March about the racism he’s been facing online by toxic fans upset with the casting of a Black actor in the role.
“It’s appalling that anyone should be subjected to that kind of abuse in any circumstances,” Gardiner told Vanity Fairas part of a new profile on the actor. “He has handled it with incredible grace, and I have nothing but the greatest respect for him…. Paapa has absolutely nailed the role, and it is that performance that deserves our attention.”
Essiedu told the publication that he is more than open to criticism when it is warranted, explaining: “There’s some people who are just like, ‘I’ve done my research, and I know what kind of actor you are, and you suck.’ And they’re totally entitled to their opinion. But then there are the people who are like, ‘You are bad because you are Black’—which, to me, is racist.. Well, actually not ‘You’re bad because you are Black.’ But there is a racially driven animosity.”
Essiedu first spoke to The Sunday Times in March about the racially motivated death threats he was getting online over his casting as Snape.
“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” Essiedu he said at the time. “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. 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.”
Speaking to Variety last monthat the TIME100 Next Gala, Essiedu said “the whole team” behind HBO’s “Harry Potter” has “has been so supportive of me” in the wake of racist abuse.
“Obviously, my priority is the work. I wouldn’t take this job on [otherwise], but I walk into it with open eyes,” he added “I understand the broad spectrum of what the reaction to what we’re doing means, and I take that mantle on with an open and full heart. I’ve also been blown away by a lot of the support and well-wishes and excitement… I’m really proud of what I’ve seen so far. There are so many people who worked so hard on this project — and who it means so much to. It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a long time that people have been saying a lot of things, and now’s the time for people to engage with what we made.”
Essiedu also spoke to Vanity Fairabout his outspoken support for the trans community, which fans speculate put him at odds with “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling. Before his casting, Essiedu signed an open letter condemning the U.K. Supreme Court for ruling that transgender women are not legally considered women and transgender men are not legally considered men.
“I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” Rowling wrote on X in May while sharing an article about Essiedu. “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
Rowling has courted controversy since 2020 for regularly sharing beliefs on social media that many believe are transphobic. When the topic of the author was brought up by Vanity Fair, Essiedu responded: “I don’t want to talk about Jo at all.”
“I believe, in my bones, that trans people, queer people, people of all creeds and color have got the right to be treated with respect and dignity and safety at all times— whether they’re in the workplace, whether they’re at home or in the street, whatever,” Essiedu said. “That’s what I believe, and that’s the way that I choose to live my life. That’s the creed by which I live.”
“Harry Potter” debuts Christmas Day on HBO and HBO Max.
