Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony-nominated playwright and actor known for Emily in Paris and Slave Play, has been released from detention in Japan nearly three weeks after a surprising drug-related arrest.
The 36-year-old was freed on Monday, according to a spokesperson from Tomishiro Police Station in Okinawa.
Officials confirmed the update but declined to reveal whether he faced any charges.
No Charges Filed, Project Work Continues
The police spokesperson clarified that Harris was not charged and will remain in Japan to continue research for an upcoming project.
His representatives have yet to publicly comment on the situation.
Arrest at Naha Airport
Harris was initially taken into custody on November 16 at Naha Airport when customs officials discovered a crystal substance in his tote bag.
Tests reportedly indicated the material was MDMA, approximately 780 milligrams—considerably above a typical recreational amount.
Career Highlights
Harris first became widely recognized for his groundbreaking play Slave Play, which earned record-breaking Tony nominations.
He has since expanded his career to television, including recurring appearances on Netflix’s Emily in Paris as the high-profile fashion designer Grégory Elliott Duprée, and production roles on HBO’s Euphoria.
He is also slated to adapt Brit Bennett’s acclaimed novel The Vanishing Half.
Red Sea International Film Festival Plans Scrapped
Harris had been expected to appear at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia to promote Erupcja, a film he stars in alongside pop sensation Charli XCX, with both sharing writing and producing credits.
However, his appearance was quietly removed from the festival’s schedule without explanation.
West End Initiatives and Black Audience Nights
Harris has also made headlines for his innovative West End work.
In February 2024, he defended hosting performances of Slave Play exclusively for Black audiences, saying these “Black Out” nights create a safe space where Black patrons often feel unwelcome.
The play, which starred Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington, ran at London’s Noël Coward Theatre from June to September 2024, including two special nights dedicated solely to Black audiences.
Speaking to the BBC, Harris emphasized the importance of intentional inclusion, stating that people must be “radically invited” into spaces where they historically felt excluded.
He argued that such initiatives are not about excluding others, but about giving underrepresented audiences the opportunity to feel safe and welcomed.
Slave Play’s Impact and Controversy
Since its 2019 debut, Slave Play has sparked both acclaim and controversy.
The play explores race, identity, and sexuality in 21st-century America, centering on interracial couples engaging in plantation role-play.
Critics argued that it trivialized slavery and left some audience members offended or traumatized.
Despite this, the play earned 12 Tony nominations in 2021, cementing Harris’ status as a bold and provocative voice in theater.
Japan’s Strict Drug Laws and Celebrity Cases
Harris’ legal troubles in Japan highlight the country’s strict drug enforcement.
Even minor possession can result in lengthy detention, and convictions carry multi-year sentences.
Japan has seen other high-profile incidents: in 2018, Grammy-winning DJ David Morales was arrested at Fukuoka Airport for alleged MDMA, and in 1980, Paul McCartney faced a lengthy ban from Japan following a marijuana arrest.
Looking Ahead
As Harris navigates his release and continued work in Japan, fans and industry watchers are left wondering what the next steps will be—both for his creative projects and his personal life.
His career, marked by both daring theatrical ventures and high-profile television roles, remains under intense public scrutiny amid this unexpected international controversy.
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