Harry Potter star defends Snape casting in HBO adaptation
Isaacs labelled critics of Essiedu's casting as 'racist,' asserting that Essiedu is one of the finest actors he has ever seen.
Essiedu's casting has also drawn attention due to his public stance on trans rights, which differs from that of Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling.
The new HBO Max series is planned as a faithful adaptation of the Harry Potter books, with each season covering one of the seven novels.
Filming for the series is scheduled to begin this summer at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Hertfordshire, with a likely debut in late 2026 or early 2027.
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The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Gregg Wallace: Timeline of misconduct review amid reports of MasterChef sacking
TV presenter Gregg Wallace has been sacked from his presenting role on MasterChef ahead of a review into allegations about historical misconduct, BBC News has said. The 60-year-old, who stepped away from hosting the BBC show last year amid the allegations, has been hit by a new wave of claims published by the news site on Tuesday. In an Instagram post he claimed that the investigation, the outcome of which is yet to be published, 'exonerates me of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year'. Here we take a look at the allegations made against the TV star: – November 28 2024 Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News. The TV star steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show's production company, announces it is conducting an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him. BBC News says allegations include the presenter 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, says he told 'sexualised' jokes during filming. Model Ulrika Jonsson tells The Telegraph that when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, Wallace allegedly had to apologise after making a 'rape joke', which caused another female contestant to become 'really distressed'. Sir Rod Stewart takes to Instagram following the accusations, accusing Wallace of 'humiliating' his wife Penny Lancaster on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. The TV star's lawyers say 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature', BBC News reports. Wallace thanks his Instagram followers for 'showing their support'. – November 29 2024 Wallace faces a string of new allegations with one woman, who worked on a travel show with him, accusing him of making 'lesbian jokes constantly', as reported by BBC News. The charity Ambitious About Autism says it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the 'recent allegations'. – November 30 2024 Producer and director Dawn Elrick posts a letter on Instagram which includes a number of anonymous accounts from people who allege they 'have experienced sexism and sexual harassment within the TV industry'. She claims the letter, which accuses Wallace of making lewd comments, was sent to the BBC in 2022. The Sunday Telegraph reports producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about 'inappropriate' behaviour from him while working on the show. Banijay UK confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour. – December 1 2024 Wallace says in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'. TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp tells BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend that she was 'so embarrassed' she thought she 'might cry' after Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his sex life. Celebrity MasterChef 2012 champion Emma Kennedy tells Times Radio the former greengrocer 'just doesn't understand that some behaviour is completely inappropriate'. – December 2 2024 Downing Street says Wallace's response to the accusations being made against him was 'inappropriate and misogynistic'. A spokesperson also says that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row. Following the backlash, Wallace apologises for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks and said he will now 'take some time out' while the investigation is under way. – December 3 2024 Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials are pulled from the BBC's schedule. Wallace faces fresh allegations with one woman claiming he touched her bottom after an event and another alleging he pressed his crotch against her while filming on a different show, according to BBC News. – December 4 2024 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says politicians should be ready to put in place 'mechanisms' that would instil 'confidence' that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about 'women of a certain age', reflecting comments Wallace apologised for. MasterChef presenter John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the programme and 'will continue to be a part of it' after Wallace stepped back from the show. A ghostwriter claims Wallace sexually harassed her while she was working on his 2012 autobiography. – December 10 2024 Ms Nandy says she is 'prepared to take further action' if the creative industries cannot address 'cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug' in relation to claims of misconduct while appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee. – April 25 2025 Wallace tells the Daily Mail he 'thought about suicide all the time' after allegations of misconduct were made against him. – July 8 2025 Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay, BBC News reports. Fresh claims about the TV presenter are made from 50 more people to the corporation including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another, BBC News says. BBC News says it has not seen the final review from Banijay, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked. In an Instagram post the former greengrocer claims he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review.
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Mick Jagger and Elton John top star-studded guest list for French state banquet
Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John topped the star-studded guest list for the French state banquet hosted by the King at Windsor Castle. The Rolling Stones' front man was joined by his fiancee Melanie Hamrick, while Crocodile Rock singer Sir Elton was accompanied by his husband David Furnish for the opulent royal celebration. Sir Elton, who is known for hosting his own annual white-tie and tiara charity ball, was among the 160 guests who gathered at the King's royal white-tie affair in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. Both musicians have homes in France and Sir Elton also has a home in nearby Old Windsor. Sir Elton famously sang Candle In The Wind, rewritten as Goodbye England's Rose, at the funeral of the King's first wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and he has a close bond with the Duke of Sussex – Charles's youngest son with whom the King has a troubled relationship. Other notable invitees who turned out for the glittering banquet with Charles, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales were actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks, sculptor Sir Antony Gormley and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer. The King was seated between Mr Macron and French culture minister Rachida Dati, while Kate – attending her first state banquet in nearly two years – was on the other side of the French president and also next to art historian Christophe Leribault, chairman of the Musee D'Orsay. The Queen was on the other side of the table, between Mrs Macron and French armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu. On the other side of first lady Brigitte was heir to the throne William. Sir Mick, whose formal white place card read 'Sir Michael Jagger', was seated between Dame Kristin and Alice Rufo, director general for international relations and strategy of the French ministry for the armed forces. Sir Elton, who has severe vision issues after contracting an eye infection, was seated next to his husband, rather than apart which is usually the custom for couples at royal banquets. On Sir Elton's other side was the Duchess of Gloucester, while Sir Keir was next to footballer Ms Earps. Also making an appearance was First Dates' Fred Sirieix, as well as the French singer Mika, who was sat next to the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island fans say Casa Amor hunk sounds ‘desperate' as they uncover gameplan
LOVE Island fans have said that a Casa Amor hunk sounds 'desperate' as he tries to win the heart of an OG villa girl. American bombshell Toni has been romantically linked to Harrison since he arrived in the villa, but with a rocky romance so far - Casa Amor might have come at the right time. 4 4 4 With Harrison flirting with the Casa girls in a different villa, Toni got to work flirting with the new guys who arrived in the main villa. On Monday night, Toni flirted with Boris, with viewers convinced they might couple up and win the whole show. But tonight saw a very different story play out. Chatting and flirting with hunky Casa boy Cach, Toni got her head turned. Flirting with one another and getting friendly, the pair even shared a smooch. But fans were not convinced. Some thought that Cach was disingenuous and called his "desperate" behaviour out on social media. "This dude with Toni sounds a bit desperate," said one person on X. "It's giving ick but at least he's focusing on Toni," they added, alluding to him being desperate and wanting to get picked to stay in the villa after Casa. Other viewers weren't sold either. Love Island fans feel sick as Harry tells Casa Amor girl he'll give her an orgasm and teases they'll have sex soon "I actually don't like Toni and Cach together.. can't put my finger on it but nahhhhhhhh," said one suspicious fan. "I feel like cash is just saying anything," added a second. "I'm not sold on toni & cach, but anyways, go off," penned a third. But other viewers were seemingly keen for the pair to couple up and get together. Love Island 2025 - Casa Amor girls WHO are the latest bombshells heading into the spin-off villa? The Sun exclusively reported the identities of the six beauties heading into the ITV2 spin-off villa, after it was teased during last week's episode. The Love Island newbies were seen strolling into the compound clad in swimwear - with one already having a connection to Harry. On the show's official Instagram page it teased: "Amor the merrier… who's ready for Casa Amor?" and now we can report the full line-up. Lauren Wood, 26, Emma Munro, 30 Lucy Quinn, 21 Yasmin Broom, 26 Andrada Pop, 27 Rheo Parnell, 26 "TONI YOU BETTER RECOUPLE WITH CACH RN," said one. "Toni has upgradeddddd. That is my girllll," penned a second. A third wrote: "I didn't like Cach yesterday but he's so much more likeable around Toni. And Toni's no longer miserable, so that's a plus…" While a fourth said: "toni getting to know someone else rather than trusting h*rrison in casa, god smiled on me today." And a fifth added: "TONI IS EMOTIONALLY FREE FROM HARRISON." Slovenian hunk Boris got close to Toni on Monday night when they complimented each other and got a little flirty. Viewers loved the chemistry, with one writing on X: "Toni and Boris are my winners." A second said: "Ok I'm ready to declare Toni and Boris the winners." A third posted: "I hope Toni picks Boris, they look great together." Another wrote: "I genuinely need Toni to bring back Boris so I can't see Harrison get humbled expeditiously." 4
