Paapa Essiedu, one of the stars of HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series, shared a glimpse of the terrifying and racist death threats he received after being cast as Severus Snape.

Essiedu, who will be the first black actor to play the Hogwarts professor in a major adaptation of the iconic books, used a recent interview with The Times of London to talk about the backlash he has faced since being cast in the role.

“They have told me, ‘Resign or I will kill you,’” Essiedu said.

The actor told the newspaper that Instagram users have also left him messages like “I’m going to come to your house and kill you.”

“So while I’m pretty sure they’re not going to assassinate me…” Essiedu began before letting out a nervous laugh.

He continued, “That could get really old! But yeah, while I hope I’m okay, no one should have to face this for doing their job. A lot of people risk their lives in their job. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect me emotionally.”

Actress Paapa Essiedu attends the 2024 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at Claridge's Hotel in London, England.
Actress Paapa Essiedu attends the 2024 Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at Claridge’s Hotel in London, England.

Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper’s Bazaar UK

Essiedu, 35, said he understands that playing Snape, made famous by the late Alan Rickman in the “Harry Potter” films, is a “big commitment.”

The show is expected to air on HBO for a decade, according to Warner Bros. CEO and Chairman David Zaslav.

“I’ll be 45 when it’s over and I know my life is going to change a lot, but I have to surrender to that. I might have kids at the end of this,” Essiedu said.

He stressed that while you can ignore the vitriol, that doesn’t make it go away.

“The problem is still endemic and, anyway, people see things and messages to ask me if I am okay,” said the actor, who noted that he does not believe that reporting death threats and imprisoning teenagers who could be behind them would make him “feel better.”

Essiedu emphasized that online abuse has driven him to be “more passionate” about taking on the character and making it his own while reflecting on how he felt about the franchise as a child.

“I imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see myself represented in that world? That’s motivation to not be intimidated by someone who says they’d rather me die than do work that I’m going to be really proud of,” he explained.

Read more of Essiedu’s interview with The Times of London here.