Jason Isaacs slams 'racist' Harry Potter critics complaining about Paapa Essiedu being cast as Severus Snape

Jason Isaacs has blasted "racist" fans criticising the cast of Paapa Essiedu in Harry Potter.

The 62-year-old actor - who played Lucius Malfoy in the original film adaptation's of J.K. Rowling's wizarding novels - has called out people taking issue with Paapa being cast as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming TV series.

As reported by Collider, Jason told the crowd at FanExpo Denver: "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.

"All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. [The critics] will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what [Paapa] does on screen.”

Paapa, 35, is following in the footsteps of the late, great Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape in the original franchise.

There have also been questions about his casting because of his and Rowling's opposing views on the issue of trans rights.

However, the author previously clarified: "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."