Jason Isaacs calls out critics over Paapa Essiedu casting as 'Severus Snape'

Jason Isaacs gave a befitting response to the fans who are criticising Paapa Essiedu for his casting as Severus Snape in the new Harry Potter TV series.

Isaacs, who played the iconic role of Lucius Malfoy in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie, called out people who are talking about Essiedu's looks.

While speaking to Collider at the Fans Expo, The White Lotus star said, "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 added, "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."

This not the first Isaac spoke on behalf of the new cast, previously, after the news broke that Johnny Flynn was cast as the new Lucius Malfoy, Isaacs gave a seal of approval on perfect casting.

"A fantastic actor, a lovely man and, irritatingly, a rather brilliant musician too," Isaacs wrote on X (formerly twitter) about Flynn. "Couldn’t have handed the snake-topped baton on to anyone better. Just please don’t make him sing."

The new Harry Potter series is expected to release somewhere in 2026.