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NEED TO KNOW
Tony-nominated playwright and Emily in Paris actor Jeremy O. Harris was arrested in Japan in November after he allegedly brought ecstasy (MDMA) into the country
Multiple outlets reported on Dec. 5 that Japanese customs officials filed a criminal accusation against Harris Dec. 4, and that he remains in custody
Harris most recently debuted a new play titled Spirit of the People at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts in July
Jeremy O. Harris, theTony Award-nominated playwright andEmily in Parisactor, was arrested in Japan on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country, multiple outlets report.
The New York Times,ReutersandThe Guardianreported on Friday, Dec. 5, that Harris, 36, has been in custody in Japan since Nov. 16, when he flew into the Japanese island Okinawa and customs officers allegedly found ecstasy (also known as MDMA) in his bag, citing local customs officials.
Reps for Harris did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
According toThe Guardian, customs officials in Japan filed a criminal accusation against Harris with a regional prosecutor's office on Thursday, Dec. 4, to begin formally charging Harris with a crime.
The New York Timesreported that Harris could face up to seven years in prison if found guilty. The outlet reported that local police declined to say whether Harris has admitted to the allegations.
The Guardianand Reuters reported that Harris had traveled to Okinawa for sightseeing purposes from the United Kingdom via a layover in Taiwan, citing a Japanese customs spokesperson.
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Harris is known for writing and producing the 2019 Broadway playSlave Play, which received 10 Tony nominations in 2020. He is also known for writing the 2020 movieZolaand this year's moviesThe True Beauty of Being Bittenby a TickandErupcja, as well as his work as a producer on the second season of HBO'sEuphoria.
Harris plays the character Grégory Elliot Duprée on Netflix'sEmily in Parisand also appeared in two episodes of theGossip Girlrevival in 2021 as himself.
On the stage, Harris has also produced productions ofAin't No MoandThe Sign in Sidney Brustein's Windowon Broadway.
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In July, Harris debuted a new play titledSpirit of the Peopleat Massachusetts' Williamstown Theatre Festival, which markedAmber Heard's professional stage acting debut.
That play's cast included Ato Blankson-Wood, Zachary Booth, James Cusati-Moyer, Emma Ramos, Brandon Flynn, Julian Sanchez and Amandla Jahava.
Harris most recently shared a post on hisInstagram pageOct. 31, when he thanked MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) host Ari Melber for hosting him to promote a new play Harris is involved with titledPrince F-----.
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