Warning: This essay discusses prejudice against the LGBTQ+ population, which some readers may find disturbing.
JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, has been at the heart of controversy ever since she expressed her sentiments regarding the transgender community.
The Scot’s opinions on the transgender movement have become stronger since she first liked an anti-trans tweet in 2018 that referred to transgender women as ‘men in dresses’ and then sent her own anti-trans message to her followers.
“Dress as you like. Call yourself whatever you want. Sleep with any willing adult who will accept you. She wrote, “Live your best life in peace and security” in December 2019.
“But drive women out of their professions for asserting that sex exists? #IstandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”
It relates to the dismissal of tax expert Maya Forstater for her anti-transgender social media statements.
Since then, the 59-year-old author has written on the transgender movement almost every week, gaining the title of TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a word coined by the trans community.
Her outspoken opinions prompted a conflict between her and several of her Harry Potter co-stars, but some actors have backed the mother-of-three.
Now that we’ve covered the history of J.K. Rowling’s views on the transgender movement, let’s look at what some of the cast has stated.
Daniel Radcliffe, who is often referred to as Harry Potter,
The star of the franchise Daniel Radcliffe is an outspoken supporter of the transgender cause, and he has distanced himself from the author of the books that helped him gain recognition.
In 2020, he penned an op-ed for The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ newspaper. He wrote, in part, that transgender people 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.”
Radcliffe went on to say that he was ‘truly sorry’ for the ‘hurt’ her statements had caused in the trans community.
Last year, he told The Atlantic, “It makes me really sad in the end.”
“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 empathic.”
Adding: “Jo, clearly Harry Potter would not have occurred without her, and nothing in my life would have happened as it does without that lady.
“But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life.”
Emma Watson, aka Hermione Granger
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the franchise, has been open about her opinions on the subject, as has Radcliffe.
In April, the UK Supreme Court determined that the 2010 Equality Act’s concept of ‘women’ only applies to biological women.
Watson posted about the news on Instagram.
It went as follows: “To the person who said they like me best when I am not ranting about politics: I like me best when I am not ignoring fascism.”
In 2020, she responded to Rowling’s statements by tweeting a message of solidarity for the transgender community.
“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,” the text reads.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many others see, respect, and love you for who you are.”
Then, at the BAFTAs in 2022, supporters believe she made a dig at Rowling.
Australian actor Rebel Wilson introduced her to the stage, saying, “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson.” She proclaims herself a feminist, but everyone knows she’s a witch.”
While on stage, Watson informed the audience, “I’m here for all the witches.”
Rupert Grint, AKA Ron Weasley
Rupert Grint, the actor who plays Ron Weasley, made a statement in 2020 saying, “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.” Transgender women are women. Transgender males are men.
Two years later, in an interview with the Times, he said, “I liken JK Rowling to an auntie.” I don’t always agree with what my auntie says, but she is still my auntie. It’s a hard one.
Tom Felton, aka Draco Malfoy
Tom Felton, well known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the blockbuster Harry Potter books, is the latest well-known figure to speak out on the issue.
In an interview with Variety, the actor was asked how the Twitter debate surrounding Rowling affects him and his work.
“No, I cannot say it does. I’m not particularly sensitive to it,” Felton answered.
“The only thing I always remind myself is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world—here I am in New York, and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter… and she’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
Ralph Fiennes, aka Voldemort
In 2022, Lord Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes told The New York Times that the verbal abuse aimed at her was terrible and awful.
“I understand how her remarks about women could offend someone.” But this isn’t some disgusting, ultra-right-wing Nazi. It’s just a woman saying, “I’m a woman, I believe I’m a woman, and I want to be allowed to say so.”
Helena Bonham Carter, aka Bellatrix Lestrange
In a 2022 interview with The Times, Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Lord Voldemort’s followers, expressed her viewpoint on whether JK Rowling’s books deserved to be canceled.
She described the author’s criticism as ‘horrendous’ and ‘a bag of b***ocks.’
“I think she’s been subjected to harassment.” People’s judgmentalism has gotten out of hand. She is entitled to her viewpoint, especially if she has been abused,” Bonham Carter concluded. “Everybody carries their history of trauma and forms their opinions from that trauma, and you have to respect where people come from and their pain.”
The actor went on to remark that not everyone had to agree on everything since it would be ‘crazy and dull’ and that Rowling wasn’t ‘meaning it aggressively’ but rather ‘saying something out of her own experience.’
Bonham Carter says Rowling’s criticism is just due to envy.
She stated, “If she hadn’t been such a spectacular success, the reaction might not have been as positive.” Therefore, I believe that jealousy and a desire to undermine others are significant factors contributing to this cancellation. And schadenfreude.”
Bonham Carter also disagrees with other Harry Potter stars who have openly addressed the controversy surrounding Rowling, stating that she does not ‘agree with talking about other famous people.’
Jason Isaacs, aka Lucius Malfoy
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in seven Harry Potter films, explained that while some of Rowling’s opinions ‘differ’ from his own, he believes that publicly speaking out against the author without first speaking with her would be unfair, given that she has ‘poured an enormous amount of her fortune into making the world a much better place.’
“Many of us Harry Potter actors have worked for it and seen on the ground the work that they do,” he told The Telegraph, citing Rowling’s children’s charity, Lumos.
“So, for all that she has said, some very controversial things, I was not going to be jumping to stab her in the front or back without a conversation with her, which I’ve not managed to have yet.”
Evanna Lynch, aka Luna Lovegood.
Despite standing beside Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint in 2020, Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood, appeared to swap sides in a 2023 interview with The Telegraph.
“When I entered that discourse, I was quite naive.” I didn’t even realize there were two sides. “I had a view of, like, good and bad,” she said.
“I feel compassion for all sides of the dispute. I remember what it was like to be a teenager who despised my body so much that I wanted to crawl out of it, so I have a lot of empathy for trans individuals and don’t want to contribute to their suffering.
Lynch went on to say, “I believe it’s significant that JK Rowling has been promoting the voices of detransitioners.” I felt the need to say, ‘Let’s just stop talking about it,’ but I guess I’m a little bolder today about having hard talks…
“I simply felt that her role has always been about advocating for society’s most vulnerable citizens. The issue is that people disagree about who is the most vulnerable. I wish people would show her more grace and listen to her.”
Harry Melling, aka Dudley Dursley
When Harry Melling, who portrayed Dudley Dursley, was asked to comment on Rowling’s remarks about the trans movement, he told the Independent in 2022, “I can only speak for myself, and what I feel, to me, is basic, which is that transgender women are women and transgender men are men.”