According to Variety, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project) states he would not have taken the role of  Severus Snape in Harry Potter if he could not handle the backlash. When the actor was announced to play the role, it was clear that the series was going in a completely different direction.

“I think the aesthetic is important,” Essiedu told Variety Thursday night at the TIME100 Next Gala, grinning at the suggestion that his Snape was the more stylish of the two adaptations via Variety. “I don’t know if style is necessarily at the forefront of my mind when generating the character, but I think the way he looks tells so much about who he is — and who he wants people to think he is. It’s all incredibly well thought through and collaborated with the incredible costume department.”

As per Variety, Essiedu opened up to The Sunday Times of London about the racially motivated death threats he’s received. He said they have “fueled” him to make the character his own. As the series’ Christmas premiere approaches, the actor praised his colleagues for supporting him through all the backlash.

“The whole team has been so supportive of me,” Essiedu said via Variety. “Obviously, my priority is the work. I wouldn’t take this job on otherwise, but I walk into it with open eyes. 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,” he said via Variety. “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.”

The first season of Harry Potter will air on HBO Max December 25.