Harry Potter star Jessie Cave has spoken candidly about the devastating personal and professional fallout she and her partner, comedian Alfie Brown, endured after he was 'cancelled' in 2023. The actress, 38, described watching the 'person she loved most' lose himself following a public shaming she labelled 'awful'.
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
The controversy erupted in 2023 when historic footage from 2015 resurfaced online, showing Brown using the N-word repeatedly during a comedy routine. Brown, who stated the routine was 'intended to be anti-racist', later issued a public apology for what he called his 'abhorrent racial language'. The immediate consequence was the cancellation of his show at the Camden Head theatre, with all tickets refunded.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cave revealed the profound personal toll. 'My boyfriend was what is/was called ‘cancelled’ in 2023 on the day our youngest son Becker turned one,' she wrote. 'It was the beginning of a terrible year, two years, actually longer…' She chose not to dwell on her own suffering but emphasised the pain of witnessing Brown's humiliation and loss of self.
A Long Road of Betrayal and Loss
Cave detailed a harrowing period where she saw trusted friends betray Brown and institutions distance themselves. She specifically called out a theatre the couple had worked with for over a decade, accusing them of covering up his posters and 'acting like cowards'. This professional exile was compounded by profound personal grief, with Brown losing both his great friend and director Adam Brace and his father Steve Brown in quick succession.
'I’ve watched him hide away and overthink, lose himself,' Cave shared, recalling watching him perform tearful midnight shows at the Edinburgh Fringe as he processed the events on stage. She noted the incident severely impacted her own career and self-confidence, but her focus remained on Brown's struggle to return to the stage, which had once been his 'most natural' place.
Finding a Way Forward
There is, however, a path to recovery. Cave confirmed that Brown has released a comedy special about the experience, titled *The Last Cancelled Comedian*, for free on YouTube, and it is receiving a 'brilliant and entirely well deserved response'. While she finds the show hard to watch, having seen it over ten times, she believes it is 'incredible' and encourages people to view it.
'Everything is much better now,' Cave concluded. 'He’s back onstage again, we are close to happy... I love you Alfie.' The couple also hosts a podcast together, offering further insight into their lives.
In a separate career move, Cave has discussed launching an OnlyFans page in March, focusing solely on hair fetish content. The mother-of-four, who shares her children with Brown, said the platform helped her feel 'sexy' and like herself amidst the challenges, and has helped destigmatise the site. She spends most of her time declining custom one-on-one requests and noted that Harry Potter-themed inquiries have dwindled.
