The White Lotus star Jason Isaacs reflects on drug addiction, admits he 'liked not being himself' while celebrating 25 years sober

Isaacs, known for his roles in Harry Potter and The White Lotus, opens up about his battle with drug addiction.

Jason Isaacs, the 61-year-old actor known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and Timothy Ratliff in White Lotus, has shared an intimate look into his past battle with drug addiction. Speaking on the Brydon & podcast, Isaacs revealed that he "liked not being himself" during his addiction, acknowledging the relief drugs provided in making him feel less uncomfortable in his own skin.

He said, “I liked being out of it, it was fun at first because it made me feel less other. I always felt uncomfortable in my own skin, I always felt as if I was faking being with people, that they all seemed to be more comfortable.” Isaacs continued, explaining that drugs and alcohol created a sense of equality among him and others. “When we were all high, or drunk, or whatever it was, we were all in the same state, it was an equalizer. And I loved the equalizer.”

Reflecting on his addiction’s duration, Isaacs admitted, “Oh for decades,” noting that despite this, his career remained unaffected. “Not only didn’t it get in the way of work, I was working at a very high level, on stage and on camera – my career was great. It was the personal life that wasn’t great.” Isaacs now celebrates 25 years of sobriety, having remained clean for over two decades.

The actor’s experience extends beyond addiction; he also discussed his unique ability to identify fellow actors who shared his inclination for drugs, saying, “I used to have a sixth sense for it, I could be on a set and know immediately who would be the people that wanted to take drugs with me, or get high with me, or have adventures with me.”

In addition to discussing his addiction, Isaacs reflected on his time in the Harry Potter series, which he called "quite boring" to film due to the extensive reliance on special effects. “It’s a terrible confession to make, but they weren't that fun to make,” he quipped. However, he expressed deep gratitude for the lasting impact of the Harry Potter franchise, saying, “The pleasures all come afterwards when I see and meet people for whom their lives were changed by it.”

Isaacs also reminisced about his role as Lucius Malfoy, particularly noting the legacy of the series, which continues to impact fans, some of whom have credited the films with saving their lives.

As he moves forward in his career and life, Jason Isaacs continues to be open about his past, embracing his sobriety and the lessons learned along the way.