What Has The Cast Of The Harry Potter TV Reboot Said About JK Rowling’s Transphobia?

HBO is moving full steam ahead with its TV version of Harry Potter, with a trailer for the adaptation arriving this week. 

The renewed attention around the classic story has cast attention on JK Rowling, who authored the original books and whose transphobic views have tarnished Harry Potter’s legacy for legions of fans. 

Over the years, Rowling, a self-described TERF, has become a polarising figure after a series of transphobic manoeuvres including, but not limited to, deliberately misgendering trans public figures, donating to causes repressing trans rights, and slamming preferred pronouns. 

The stars of the original movies, including Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, have weighed in on Rowling’s comments on multiple occasions, but what has the cast of the upcoming TV show said? Here’s where the biggest stars of HBO’s Harry Potter stand on JK Rowling. 

John Lithgow (Dumbledore)

John Lithgow, who is taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore, said he considered quitting the series after copping backlash over Rowling’s views — something he said he was “absolutely not expecting”. But ultimately, the actor told The New York Times that the source material itself is “clearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry”.

Still the NYT noted Lithgow was “stung” by the public reaction to his casting. In another interview, Lithgow said was “curious to talk to” Rowling once he met her while working on the show. Elsewhere, Lithgow said he takes the topic of trans rights “extremely seriously”.

Paapa Essiedu (Snape)

While Paapa Essiedu, who is portraying Snape, hasn’t commented directly on Rowling, he was one of multiple celebrities to sign an open letter expressing solidarity with trans and non-binary people after the U.K. Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that officially defined women as based on biological sex.

Rowling infamously celebrated the ruling by sharing a viral picture of herself smoking a cigar with the caption “I love it when a plan comes together”. Reacting to Essiedu’s endorsement of the letter, Rowling said she didn’t “have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did”. 

Nick Frost (Hagrid)

Hagrid actor Nick Frost has made it clear he does not agree with Rowling’s stance on trans rights, saying the author “is allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form”. 

When asked whether he thought the backlash would ever die down, the Hot Fuzz star said “we shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.” 

Johnny Flynn (Lucius Malfoy)

Johnny Flynn, who said his character of Lucius Malfoy is “barely in book one”, didn’t really land either way when discussing Rowling, saying navigating the backlash has been “interesting”. 

“Obviously, there’s quite a lot of stuff around Jo Rowling,” Flynn told The Hollywood Reporter. “I suppose that’s been quite interesting to navigate, the conversations there – but all important conversations to have.”

Flynn stressed the “special atmosphere” working on the Harry Potter set, saying showrunner Francesca Gardiner created “such a welcoming environment”. 

Katherine Parkinson (Molly Weasley)

Ron Weasley’s mother, Molly Weasley, will be played by Katherine Parkinson, but the actress bowed out of discussing Rowling entirely. “I don’t want to add to that debate at all,” Parkinson told Radio Times when questioned on Rowling’s views.

“I’m just delighted to be joining the magical world of Harry Potter,” she added. 

Warwick Davis (Professor Filius Flitwick)

Also refusing to be drawn into the commentary was Warwick Davis, who is reprising his role as Professor Filius Flitwick in the original films for the TV reboot. The actor said he was “not particularly interested” in wading into the controversy when questioned by Entertainment Weekly.

“I don’t tend to read the news. It’s kind of one of those things I just don’t do. So, I’m kind of out of touch with what’s going on,” Davis said. “It’s not really something I’m particularly interested in — producing entertainment is what I do.”

Bertie Carvel (Cornelius Fudge)

During an interview with The Times, Bertie Carvel — who is playing Cornelius Fudge — outright declined to comment on the Rowling controversy, instead saying he came to the role “with a really open mind”.  

Casey Bloys (HBO’s CEO of content)

At the height of the backlash over the decision to reboot the franchise, HBO’s CEO of content Casey Bloys assured fans Rowling’s views didn’t factor into the TV show. “Harry Potter is not being secretly infused with anything,” he said on The Town podcast. 

“[Rowling is] entitled to those views and I think people are pretty clear that she’s entitled to them. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter,” Bloys added. 

At the time of the writing, these are the only lead castmates who’ve commented on Rowling’s views. Notably, the actress behind the major role of Professor McGonagall, Janet McTeer, has not addressed the controversy, but did play a gender-nonconforming character in the 2011 movie Albert Nobbs. 

The first season of HBO’s Harry Potter reboot will be released on December 25, 2026, with the each following season adapting one book in the seven-book series.

Lead images: Getty Images and X