HBO is rebooting the Harry Potter franchise this Christmas, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and continuing with multiple seasons of television, each adapting another of author J.K. Rowling's books.
Due to the writer's views on the trans community, many Wizarding World fans have been critical of the actors willing to star in the series. They argue that the cast are giving Rowling's opinions their seal of approval by playing the characters she's created.
Several actors have been asked how they feel about the writer's stance on this hot-button topic, and we can now add Bel Powley, who plays Harry Potter's Aunt Petunia Dursley, to the list.
Talking to The Telegraph (via SFFGazette.com), the actress said, "I strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling’s views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance."
"But I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books," she added, revealing why she wanted to star in Harry Potter. "I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness."
While Rowling is an executive producer on the HBO series, she isn't expected to be heavily involved on the creative side. The author has said relatively little about the new cast, but hit out at original Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for criticising her views on trans people, saying the latter is "ignorant of how ignorant she is."
Asked for his thoughts on Rowling, new Albus Dumbledore actor John Lithgow said, "I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views. I’ve read about them, and I’ve never met her. She’s not really involved in this production at all. The people who are re-adapting Harry Potter and turning it into an eight-year-long TV series are remarkable. These are people I really want to work with."
Nick Frost, who takes over as Hagrid, has said, "She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form." New Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu has not commented on Rowling, but has expressed support for trans rights since being cast.
Whether the continued controversies surrounding Rowling will overshadow HBO's Harry Potter remains to be seen. Hopefully, no one will pester the young cast members about the issue, as fans who argue back-and-forth with the writer on social media should bear in mind that they're children and not part of any political stance.
The main cast of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.