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

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.

If there’s one thing we know about Jason Isaacs, it’s that he’s not going to bite his tongue. The outspoken actor has come to the defense of Paapa Essiedu, who was cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter television series adaptation.