Paapa Essiedu Says the Work Comes First as Snape Casting Draws Backlash

Paapa Essiedu says his priority is the work, even as his casting as Severus Snape in HBO's Harry Potter series has drawn online backlash. He made the remarks to Variety at the TIME100 Next Gala in New York City on Thursday night, where he was honoured as one of Time's 100 rising stars.

He told Variety that the whole Harry Potter team has been supportive of him. He also said he has been "blown away" by the support, well-wishes and excitement around his casting. Essiedu said he goes into the role with his eyes open and understands that reaction to the casting covers a broad range.

Earlier, he told The Sunday Times of London that he had received racially motivated death threats over the part. He said those threats pushed him to make the character his own.

HBO has now released a first-look image of Essiedu as Snape. A first look is an early promotional picture, released before a show's full marketing push. In the picture, Snape wears shoulder-length dreadlocks, a gothic-style outfit, a zip-up leather jacket and an oversized black cloak. That is a clear departure from Alan Rickman, who played the character in the Harry Potter films.

Essiedu said the way his Snape looks says a lot about who the character is, and who he wants people to think he is. The look is the first public sign of how he has built the role.

The series is set to arrive on HBO Max, the streaming service, on 25 December. Season 1 adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first novel in J.K. Rowling's series. Its release date gives viewers a clear point to aim for, and HBO has not yet said how many episodes the season will run.

For now, the news is about the person at the centre of the debate. Essiedu has chosen to talk about his work, and his co-stars and crew have stood by him in public. The show's debut is still two months away.