Latest news with #Essiedu
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs defends Paapa Essiedu's Snape casting amid backlash
Jason Isaacs, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the original Harry Potter films, has spoken out in defense of actor Paapa Essiedu, who was recently cast as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series. Isaacs made his comments during a panel appearance at FanExpo Denver, addressing the wave of criticism following Essiedu's casting. Isaacs described the online backlash as 'rude' and labeled some of the commentary as 'racist.' He emphasized that Essiedu is 'one of the best actors I've ever seen' and expressed confidence that critics would change their stance once they witnessed his performance. Essiedu, a Black British actor known for I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, is the first Black actor to play Snape. His casting has sparked controversy online, with some social media users objecting to the change in the character's racial depiction from the original films. Production for HBO's rebooted Harry Potter series is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with a tentative release window spanning 2026–2027. The series aims to re-adapt J.K. Rowling's original seven-book saga with a new cast, with each season expected to cover one book. Further casting announcements are expected in the coming months.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Harry Potter' star Jason Isaacs slams 'racist' criticism of series star Paapa Essiedu
Jason Isaacs isn't here for all the muggle back talk. The "Harry Potter" alum, who played Lucius Malfoy in the wizarding drama franchise, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Paapa Essiedu's casting in the upcoming HBO series adaptation of the films. Essiedu, 35, is set to portray Hogwarts professor and Slytherin head Severus Snape, originally played by Emmy-winning actor Alan Rickman. Isaacs, 62, took aim at the racially charged criticism against Essiedu, whose dark complexion differs from that of the original Snape. The British actor, born and raised in London, is of Ghanaian descent. "Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I've ever seen in my life," Isaacs said during a July 5 panel discussion at Fan Expo Denver moderated by Collider. "I've seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they're being is racist." Meet your new Harry Potter: HBO series casts Harry, Ron and Hermione HBO's "Harry Potter" series, which does not yet have a release date, will be a new adaptation of the bestselling children's book series by J.K. Rowling, which was made into a hit film series in the 2000s that starred Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Rowling serves as executive producer on the show. Dominic McLaughlin is set to play orphan-turned-boy-wizard Harry Potter, while Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley. "All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing," Isaacs told Collider. Critics "will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what (Paapa) does on screen." 10 bingeable memoirs to check out: Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé Essiedu, known for his roles in "I May Destroy You," "Black Mirror" and "The Outrun," shared his excitement at joining the magical world of "Harry Potter" in an April Instagram post announcing his casting. The actor affectionately signed off the post's caption as "Professor Snape." "An honor and a privilege to be going on this journey with these legends," Essiedu wrote at the time. "We shall eat, and we shall leave no crumbs. See you at Hogwarts." Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
Metro
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Jason Isaacs blasts 'racist' Harry Potter fans over Paapa Essiedu's casting
Jason Isaacs has hit out at 'racism' among Harry Potter fans who are criticising Paapa Essiedu's casting in the new TV series. It was announced in May that the 35-year-old actor, known for I May Destroy You and Black Mirror, would portray Severus Snape in the upcoming HBO adaptation of JK Rowling's wizarding franchise. The role was, of course, first played by the late Alan Rickman. Following major online debate around the reboot and its castings, Isaacs has given his thoughts on Essiedu taking up the iconic role—and he's fighting his corner. The White Lotus season 3 star, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original films, began: '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 continued to Collider: 'All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They (people online) will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully—you know, their digital tongues—when they see what [Essiedu] does on screen.' Despite being a Harry Potter legend himself, Isaacs, 62, wasn't actually given any exclusive intel on the castings for the revival series ahead of them being made public. He joked about how his daughter's friend from university is 'in the casting office for the show,' but when she went to their house for dinner, she 'wouldn't tell [them] anything'. 'Unbelievable, what a waste of university tuition fees,' he quipped. As for Essiedu, he's made it clear before that he has no time for backlash. '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—and it's going to be great,' he defended. Indeed, on board with the reboot is David Heyman, who produced all eight Harry Potter films, while author Rowling serves as an executive producer. The writer issued a message responding to Essiedu's casting earlier in the year, explaining why she wouldn't 'sack' him, despite him advocating for trans rights. He did so by joining fellow actors in signing an open letter calling for the entertainment industry in the UK to protect the 'trans, non-binary, and intersex communities.' While Essiedu's views differ from Rowling's own, she said on X: 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. 'I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.' In recent years, Rowling has been slammed for her comments about the trans community, having most recently celebrated the UK's Supreme Court ruling that trans women are not legally women, a decision that sparked mass outrage from allies and led to protests. 'I love it when a plan comes together #SupremeCourt #WomensRights,' Rowling wrote on X alongside a photo of herself smoking a cigar. As such, her involvement in the upcoming Harry Potter series has angered many, with plenty of long-time Potterheads vowing to boycott. HBO and Max previously shared that the Harry Potter TV series will arrive on screens in late 2026 or early 2027. While finer details of the plot remain closely guarded secrets, it has been said by the network that the programme 'will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.' These cast members include Dominic McLaughlin as the titular part originally made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Arabella Stanton stepping into Emma Watson's shoes as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Rupert Grint's Ron Weasley. When their castings were confirmed, executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said: 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. 'We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.' Other cast members include Nick Frost as Hagrid, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy. More Trending Isaac's part of Lucius will be played by Johnny Flynn, while Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby play the Dursleys. Finally, Molly Weasley will be portrayed by Katherine Parkinson, and Cornelius Fudge will be played by Bertie Carvel. View More » It is yet to be announced who will follow on from Ralph Fiennes as the villainous Voldemort, but British star Tom Hiddleston is currently a frontrunner. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Harry Potter star admits he 'would have run a million miles' from TV reboot years ago MORE: Michael Cera reveals relatable reason he 'turned down' Harry Potter role MORE: Pedro Pascal says 'bullies make me sick' as he defends JK Rowling criticism
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watford-area babies wanted for BBC drama filming
Watford-area babies are being sought for the filming of an upcoming BBC drama. Casting agency Daisy and Dukes has put out a call for children born after January 2025 to be used for filming. The shoot will take place at BBC Elstree Studios on July 8, with the call going out to families who live within an hour of the facility. The advert specifies that the babies must be white - to match with the cast - and that both boys and girls will be considered. While the BBC has not confirmed exactly what show the call is for, some have speculated it could be Babies, an upcoming six-part drama. Starring Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen, Babies began filming earlier this year, with Hertfordshire locations already being used for some scenes. In February, Abbots Langley's former police house was used for filming, as was Toms Lane in Kings programme was announced by the BBC in November of last year and will feature Black Mirror's Essiedu and Bodkin star Cullen, as well as Jack Bannon and Charlotte Riley. Essiedu is set to spend plenty of time near Watford in years to come after landing the role of Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, which is about to begin filming in Leavesden. Interested parents have been asked to send an email to talia@ with the following information: • Baby's full name • Date of birth • Clothing size • Height and weight (if known) • Recent photos (clearly showing baby's hair) • Parent's full name • Email address • Mobile Number • Postcode
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
J.K. Rowling Explains Why She Won't Fire ‘Harry Potter' Snape Actor Paapa Essiedu
Are the wands coming out behind the scenes of HBO's Harry Potter reboot? J.K. Rowling has reacted to an article speculating about whether she will 'sack' actor Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in the upcoming series as Potions Professor Severus Snape. More from The Hollywood Reporter Danny McBride Talks 'The Righteous Gemstones' Finale and His Note for Suburban Movie Theaters John Oliver Mocks Trump for Believing Edited Tattoo Photo Was Real, Says ABC News' Terry Moran Was "in Hell" During Oval Office Interview 'The Gilded Age' Teases Marriage and Upheaval in Season 3 Last week, Essiedu — along with Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne and Harry Potter film series actor Katie Leung — signed an open letter along with more than 400 others which called upon the United Kingdom's entertainment industry to commit to protecting the trans community after the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that trans women should not be recognized as women and that 'sex' should legally mean biological sex. Initially, Rowling seemed to only vaguely and possibly reference the Harry Potter actors in a post on X on Sunday where the author criticized petition signers without naming names ('Some argue that signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear: fear for their careers, of course, but also fear of their co-religionists, who include angry, narcissistic men who threaten and sometimes enact violence on non-believers; back-stabbing colleagues ever ready to report wrongthink,' Rowling wrote). But on Monday morning, Rowling tweeted an image of a U.K. tabloid report that cited anonymous sources which predicted Rowling — who is an executive producer on the HBO series — won't fire Essiedu and 'won't care at all' about his 'defiance.' Rowling then clarified her position: 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.' Essiedu is a British actor who has previously appeared in shows such as I May Destroy You and Black Mirror. Rowling's tweet follows HBO's The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal slamming Rowling for 'Heinous LOSER behavior' after the author celebrated the court ruling (Rowling had posted, 'I love it when a plan comes together,' and noted to a critic, 'I get the same royalties whether you read [my books] or burn them'). It also follows Harry Potter star John Lithgow, who has been cast as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, dismissing concerns about Rowling's views. 'I thought, why is this a factor at all?' said the 79-year-old Lithgow, who earned an Oscar nomination for his pioneering role as a trans ex-football player in the 1982 film The World According to Garp. 'I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her and I'm curious to talk to her.' When asked if criticism over him taking the role in the series has discouraged him, Lithgow replied, 'Oh, heavens no.' HBO chief Casey Bloys has previously shrugged off concerns about backlash, pointing to the success of Hogwarts Legacy video game, which also faced boycott calls over Rowling's trans views, and went on to become the biggest selling game of 2023. Bloys recently added during an interview with The Town podcast that Rowling is entitled to her own political standpoint. 'It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views,' Bloys said. 'She's entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter. The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years.' HBO's Harry Potter reimagines the seven-novel book series into a TV series with each book being adapted into a separate season. The show recently announced its core adult cast, and is expected to soon reveal who is playing the show's key child roles. Last year, HBO said it expected to begin filming in mid-2025. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
