- A Harry Potter HBO series is in development with Rowling’s involvement
- The series has been controversial given her stance on trans rights
- Numerous cast members from the film have spoken up about it
We might be heading back to Hogwarts in 2026 for a Harry Potter TV show on HBO, but it’s not been without controversy.
In recent years, JK Rowling has received extensive backlash over her views on trans rights, which has made some fans question the relevance of the series in 2024.
HBO released a new statement recently on the controversy, saying that the author has the right to share her views.
“J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views,” explained the studio. “We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”
HBO chairman and CEO Casey Bloys said that Rowling has been closely involved with the casting process but her stance on trans rights haven’t impacted decision making. She was “very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,” but her views “haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff.”
Bloys ended by saying Rowling’s input has been “invaluable.”
Who has spoken out about JK Rowling’s views?
Numerous cast members from the original series of films, released between 2001 and 2011, have expressed their disagreement with JK Rowling’s views.
Daniel Radcliffe is a noted supporter of trans rights. He told The Atlantic that the situation “makes me really sad”.
“Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathetic,” he said.
Around the time Rowling first made her anti-trans views public, Radcliffe wrote an essay in support of the trans community.
“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”
Emma Watson has held a similar position. “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” she said in 2020.
https://x.com/EmmaWatson/status/1270826851070619649Eddie Redmayne, who starred in the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them franchise, said he disagreed with Rowling’s comments in 2020. “Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.”
Rupert Grint agreed. “I firmly stand with the trans community… Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
Who has defended JK Rowling?
Some cast members have spoken up for Rowling, though sometimes less so on the basis of her views and more the outrage towards them.
Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort, said in 2021 that he “can’t understand the vitriol” directed at Rowling online. “I find the level of hatred that people express about views that differ from theirs, and the violence of language towards others, disturbing,” he said.
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood, has also been sympathetic towards Rowling. In 2020, she said she thought Rowling was “on the wrong side of this debate”, but it didn’t mean “she has completely lost her humanity.”
Lynch appeared to backtrack on her words in a 2023 interview where she said she was “was very naive when I was dragged into that conversation.”
She added: “I just felt that her character has always been to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society. The problem is that there’s a disagreement over who’s the most vulnerable. I do wish people would just give her more grace and listen to her.”
Helena Bonham Carter also said in 2022 that the public backlash against Rowling’s transphobia is “horrendous” and called for detractors to “let her have her own opinions”.
“You don’t all have to agree on everything — that would be insane and boring. She’s not meaning it aggressively, she’s just saying something out of her own experience.”
