Jason Isaacs has hit out at ‘racism’ among Harry Potter fans who are criticising Paapa Essiedu’s casting in the new TV series.
It was announced in May that the 35-year-old actor, known for I May Destroy You and Black Mirror, would portray Severus Snape in the upcoming HBO adaptation of JK Rowling’s wizarding franchise. The role was, of course, first played by the late Alan Rickman.
Following major online debate around the reboot and its castings, Isaacs has given his thoughts on Essiedu taking up the iconic role—and he’s fighting his corner.
The White Lotus season 3 star, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original films, began: ‘Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life.
‘I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist.’
He continued to Collider: ‘All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They (people online) will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully—you know, their digital tongues—when they see what [Essiedu] does on screen.’
Despite being a Harry Potter legend himself, Isaacs, 62, wasn’t actually given any exclusive intel on the castings for the revival series ahead of them being made public.
He joked about how his daughter’s friend from university is ‘in the casting office for the show,’ but when she went to their house for dinner, she ‘wouldn’t tell [them] anything’.
‘Unbelievable, what a waste of university tuition fees,’ he quipped.
As for Essiedu, he’s made it clear before that he has no time for backlash.
‘The show is being made by the same people who made the films, and they’re just taking the time to make each book into a whole season—and it’s going to be great,’ he defended.
Indeed, on board with the reboot is David Heyman, who produced all eight Harry Potter films, while author Rowling serves as an executive producer.
The writer issued a message responding to Essiedu’s casting earlier in the year, explaining why she wouldn’t ‘sack’ him, despite him advocating for trans rights.
He did so by joining fellow actors in signing an open letter calling for the entertainment industry in the UK to protect the ‘trans, non-binary, and intersex communities.’
While Essiedu’s views differ from Rowling’s own, she said on X: ‘I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did.
‘I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.’
In recent years, Rowling has been slammed for her comments about the trans community, having most recently celebrated the UK’s Supreme Court ruling that trans women are not legally women, a decision that sparked mass outrage from allies and led to protests.
‘I love it when a plan comes together #SupremeCourt #WomensRights,’ Rowling wrote on X alongside a photo of herself smoking a cigar.
As such, her involvement in the upcoming Harry Potter series has angered many, with plenty of long-time Potterheads vowing to boycott.
HBO and Max previously shared that the Harry Potter TV series will arrive on screens in late 2026 or early 2027.
While finer details of the plot remain closely guarded secrets, it has been said by the network that the programme ‘will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.’
These cast members include Dominic McLaughlin as the titular part originally made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Arabella Stanton stepping into Emma Watson’s shoes as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Rupert Grint’s Ron Weasley.
When their castings were confirmed, executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said: ‘The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.
‘We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.’
Other cast members include Nick Frost as Hagrid, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
Isaac’s part of Lucius will be played by Johnny Flynn, while Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby play the Dursleys.
Finally, Molly Weasley will be portrayed by Katherine Parkinson, and Cornelius Fudge will be played by Bertie Carvel.
It is yet to be announced who will follow on from Ralph Fiennes as the villainous Voldemort, but British star Tom Hiddleston is currently a frontrunner.
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