- HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed that the upcoming Harry Potter television series has a "serious security team" after cast members received death threats.
- Paapa Essiedu, cast as Professor Snape, revealed he received racist messages, including death threats, following his casting announcement.
- The threats stemmed from online commenters claiming Essiedu should not play a character originally written as white.
- Bloys stated that such reactions were anticipated for a major IP show with passionate fans, leading to security measures and social media training for actors.
- Essiedu, who has signed on for ten years, expressed that while he hopes not to be murdered, "nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job."
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