James Snyder fired from Harry Potter play on Broadway after conduct complaint
Producers said they received a complaint about the show’s star from Diane Davis, who plays Harry’s wife
An actor has been fired from the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child following a complaint about his conduct.
James Snyder played Harry Potter in the Tony award-winning play, which was a huge success in London’s West End before transferring to Broadway, where it became the highest ever grossing non-musical in 2018.
Producers said they received a complaint against Snyder in November and immediately suspended him from the production, pending an independent investigation. Following the conclusion of that investigation, producers confirmed on Sunday that they had terminated his contract.
The complaint is understood to have been made by the actor Diane Davis, who plays Ginny Potter, Harry Potter’s wife, in the show.
Producers said they “received a complaint from Diane Davis regarding the conduct of fellow cast member James Snyder”, in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
Producers confirmed in November that Davis decided to take a leave of absence from the show.
“We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, which is why we have robust workplace policies and procedures in place for all those involved in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the statement by producers said.
“This includes strict prohibitions against harassment in any form, as well as channels through which any employee can report conduct that they believe is inappropriate. We will continue to do all we can to ensure the extremely talented team that brings this production to life feels safe, empowered and fully supported.”
Representatives for Snyder and Davis have been contacted for comment.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which picks up 19 years after JK Rowling’s final Potter novel left off, portrays the wizard and his friends as grown-ups, now with children of their own.
Snyder’s name no longer features on the cast and creative list of the Broadway show’s website. The actor has appeared in other Broadway productions such as Cry-Baby, If/Then and In Transit, as well as in TV shows including The Good Wife, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Drop Dead Diva.
