Jason Isaacs Says Backlash to Paapa Essiedu's ‘Harry Potter' Casting Is ‘Racist'
'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,' Isaacs said. '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 onscreen.'
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Essiedu is an Emmy-nominated actor for 'I May Destroy You.' He also starred in 'Men,' among other projects. Essiedu has previously spoken out about being called racial slurs while at the prestigious British drama academy Guildhall School. The actor also has voiced his support for the trans community, which is directly at odds with the beliefs of 'Harry Potter' creator and series producer JK Rowling, who is now widely known for her anti-trans views.
Rowling wrote on X that she doesn't 'have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did,' while sharing an article about Essiedu. 'I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.'
Meanwhile, Essiedu isn't the only reboot star that Isaacs is already praising: Isaacs applauded the casting decision to have Johnny Flynn play the new Lucius Malfoy in the series. Flynn and Isaacs co-starred in 2021's 'Operation Mincemeat' together.
'A fantastic actor, a lovely man and, irritatingly, a rather brilliant musician too,' Isaacs wrote on X about Flynn. 'Couldn't have handed the snake-topped baton on to anyone better. Just please don't make him sing…'
'Harry Potter' will also star John Lithgow, Nick Frost, Bel Powley, Janet McTeer, and more. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, Arabella Stanton, and are playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The series is set to air in 2026.
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