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HBO has implemented stringent security measures for its “Harry Potter” reboot after a disturbing incident involving threats against a cast member.
Paapa Essiedu, a Ghanaian-English actor known for his role as Professor Severus Snape in the series, has been the target of alarming threats since he joined the production last year.
Casey Bloys, the head of the network, revealed that they were prepared for such reactions and had proactively established safety protocols.
“When working with major franchise shows, especially one like this with a fervent fan base, there are always strong opinions and potential risks,” Bloys explained in an interview with Variety.
“For projects of this nature, we anticipated possible issues and implemented comprehensive training and best practices for managing social media interactions. We also have a robust security team in place. Regrettably, this situation was anticipated, and we’ve taken every precaution to ensure safety,” he added.
Severus Snape was famously portrayed as a white character by Alan Rickman in the blockbuster “Harry Potter” films, sparking a wave of racially charged backlash when Essiedu landed the role in 2025.
In the books, Snape is the ultimate dark wizard vibe — sallow-skinned, greasy-haired, icy-eyed, feared by students but secretly loyal and deadly smart.
Recently speaking to The Times, Essiedu admitted the abuse he gets is constant.
“I’ve been told, ‘Quit, or I’ll murder you,’” he said. “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.’
“While I hope I’ll be okay, 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.”
However, Essiedu said he hasn’t reported any of the online threats.
“I don’t think some 17-year-old boy being put in jail for two weeks for threatening to murder me would actually make me feel any better,” he said.
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the “Potter” films, slammed critics as racist and praised Essiedu as “one of the best actors” he’s ever seen.
“I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist,” Isaacs said at Fan Expo Denver in July 2025.
The new “Potter” series, due in 2027, is already tangled in wider controversy around creator JK Rowling and her outspoken views on transgender issues — a firestorm that’s driven a wedge between the author and several stars of the original films.
In a sharp contrast to Rowling’s views, Essiedu made clear where he stands.
He told The Times that he believes “artists in the trans community have a right to be treated with dignity and should be able to work without being intimidated.”
In May 2025, Rowling refused calls from her own supporters to fire Essiedu, saying she doesn’t have the power to dump the actor and wouldn’t use it even if she did.
“I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine,” Rowling wrote on X.