Harry Potter film star Jason Isaacs has hit out at "rude" criticism surrounding the casting of Black actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation.
Essiedu, previously seen in Black Mirror and HBO's own I May Destroy You, was confirmed as playing the franchise's key role of Snape back in April, taking on the baton from the late Alan Rickman in the original film series.
Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, has now discussed the reaction to Essiedu's casting, backing the actor and slamming online hate as people being "racist."
"Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I've ever seen in my life," Isaacs said during a panel at FanExpo Denver, as reported by Collider. "I've seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they're being is racist.
"All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what [Paapa] does on screen."
Snape is a pivotal figure in the Harry Potter series, and a character whose true motivations remain unclear for much of its storyline. It's only in later books, and films, that more of Snape's backstory is revealed — including his relationship with Harry's parents, and the true nature of his allegiance to Voldermort.
Criticsm of Essiedu's casting has ranged from complaints that the actor does not fit the physical appearance of Snape in the original books — a claim previously lodged against the Black casting of Hermione in the hugely-successful Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage show — and the suggestion that Snape being Black changes the dynamic of his story, particularly him being bullied as a schoolchild by Harry's father and friends, and his unrequited love for Harry's mother.
But while some have said the casting is too much of a departure, others have suggested the move will bring elements of Snape's story into sharper focus, making for a stronger story overall.
"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," Isaacs said, "and it's going to be great."
First to be announced for the series was veteran actor John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, with subsequent cast updates naming Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
The Harry Potter TV series is expected to begin filming this year, with a debut on HBO planned for late 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
Image credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar UK
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
