O riginal “Harry Potter” star Jason Isaacs is standing by franchise addition Paapa Essiedu. Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the film franchise, told Collider that Essiedu is enduring “racist” backlash after being announced as Severus Snape for the HBO reboot series. Late actor Alan Rickman starred as Snape in the films.

Jason Isaacs called out racist “Harry Potter” fans during a conversation with Collider at Fans Expo. Isaacs, who is currently an Emmy contender for his work on “The White Lotus” Season 3, starred in the original “Harry Potter” film franchise as Lucius Malfoy,

"Harry Potter" alum Jason Isaacs weighed in on the online controversy surrounding Paapa Essiedu's casting in the upcoming HBO series adaptation.