TOKYO, JAPAN – American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris was released from detention in Japan three weeks after his arrest on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy. Harris, 36, best known for his Tony-nominated play Slave Play, was freed from police custody Monday, authorities said, though it remains unclear whether he was released on bail or has left the country.
Harris was detained at Naha Airport on Okinawa on November 16 after officials discovered 0.78 grams (0.0275 ounces) of MDMA in a container inside a tote bag he was carrying. He had traveled from London’s Heathrow Airport and transited through Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport before arriving in Naha for sightseeing. The Tomishiro police took Harris into custody and referred the case to prosecutors for further investigation. The Naha District Public Prosecutors’ Office has not confirmed whether the case has been dropped or remains under review.
Harris gained acclaim with Slave Play, which he wrote as a graduate student at the Yale School of Drama. The play, noted for its provocative exploration of race, class, and sexual taboos, premiered off-Broadway in 2018 and received a Tony nomination for Best Play in 2019. Harris has also appeared in the rebooted Gossip Girl and worked as a co-producer on several episodes of HBO’s Euphoria. Japanese law allows investigators to hold suspects for up to 23 days before filing an indictment.
