Jason Isaacs, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the original Harry Potter films, has spoken out in defense of actor Paapa Essiedu, who was recently cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.
Isaacs made his comments during a panel appearance at FanExpo Denver, addressing the wave of criticism following Essiedu’s casting.
Isaacs described the online backlash as “rude” and labeled some of the commentary as “racist.” He emphasized that Essiedu is “one of the best actors I’ve ever seen” and expressed confidence that critics would change their stance once they witnessed his performance.
Essiedu, a Black British actor known for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, is the first Black actor to play Snape. His casting has sparked controversy online, with some social media users objecting to the change in the character’s racial depiction from the original films.
Production for HBO’s rebooted Harry Potter series is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with a tentative release window spanning 2026–2027.
The series aims to re-adapt J.K. Rowling’s original seven-book saga with a new cast, with each season expected to cover one book.
Further casting announcements are expected in the coming months.
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