Original “ 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, who played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, has slammed people who have criticized Paapa Essiedu's casting as Snape.

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