With several people on the internet speaking ill of Paapa Essiedu’s casting as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot series, Jason Isaacs, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the film franchise, has decided to call out such detractors. In a recent interview, the latter voiced his support for the popular British thespian, lambasting his online critics in the process.

Jason Isaacs defends Paapa Essiedu’s casting as Severus Snape in Harry Potter reboot

During his recent appearance at the FanExpo in Denver, The White Lotus star spoke about the recruitment of Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape in HBO’s much-awaited Harry Potter series. The 62-year-old actor not only praised The Lazarus Project star’s acting chops but also slammed the netizens who have already condemned his casting, without even seeing him play the part.

“Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life,” Jason Isaacs stated to Collider’s Maggie Lovitt. He then battled the criticism that Essiedu has been facing on the internet for his forthcoming role as Snape in the Harry Potter series, noting, “I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist.”

In addition to expressing support for the 35-year-old actor, Isaacs disclosed that he did not get to know about the new Harry Potter cast, despite having an ‘inside source’ in his own house. Funnily enough, my daughter’s friend from university is in the casting office for the show,” he exclaimed. Isaacs jokingly added, “She came for dinner, and she wouldn’t f—–g tell us anything! Unbelievable, what a waste of university tuition fees.”

Jason Isaacs also reiterated his faith in the upcoming Harry Potter series by saying, “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.”

Despite having cast most of its principal characters, including the parts of Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, as well as the titular wizard, the Harry Potter reboot has yet to receive an official release date window from HBO.

Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on SuperHeroHype.