Jason Isaacs slammed fans criticizing the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series.

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

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.