Miriam Margolyes is the latest Harry Potter alum to take a stance against J.K. Rowling‘s ongoing anti-transgender rhetoric.
The actress who played Professor Pomona Sprout in the big-screen franchise adaptation of Rowling’s YA novels called out the author for her “harsh” comments, as well as the “fury” it’s stoked at her from within the transgender community.
“I think her opinion is too harsh,” said Margolyes on the A Gay Old Time podcast, calling for civility on both sides of the debate.
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“I really just feel supportive about this tiny group of people who are trans, and if they want me to use pronouns, I think it’s the right thing to do,” added Margolyes, who is openly gay. “If you can make people happy, do it.”
Other Harry Potter alums like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have denounced Rowling’s anti-trans comments, while Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Felton have defended her.
After Rowling previously celebrated UK’s Supreme Court ruling that prohibits trans women from being legally recognized as women, more than 400 people signed a letter urging the country’s film and television industry to take action against her on trans rights. One such signatory was Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in HBO Max‘s Harry Potter series as Professor Snape.
