US EditionJ.K. Rowling Breaks Silence on New 'Harry Potter' Actor's Pro-Trans Views
- J.K. Rowling confirmed on May 5, 2025, that she will not fire Paapa Essiedu, who is cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series.
- The announcement came amid controversy after Essiedu signed an open letter supporting trans rights, opposing Rowling's celebration of a UK Supreme Court ruling defining sex by biology.
- Rowling, an executive producer, remains involved in the series, which HBO expects to adapt each of the seven Harry Potter books into separate seasons beginning production in mid-2025.
- Rowling stated, "I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did," emphasizing she opposes removing jobs over legally protected beliefs.
- Despite backlash toward Rowling's views, HBO leadership assured the series participation will not reflect her political opinions, and fans and actors remain divided on the controversy.
34 Articles
34 Articles
JK Rowling says she 'doesn't have power' to fire Harry Potter star Paapa Essidu after his trans support - and wouldn't anyway
JK Rowling has said she does not have the authority to fire Paapa Essidu from the Harry Potter TV adaptation for his support of the trans community – nor would she, apparently. Following the UK Supreme Court ruling in April that trans women are not legally defined as women under the 2010 Equality Act, hundreds of professionals from the world of television and film signed an open letter pledging support with the trans community. The letter, start…
JK Rowling doesn't 'have power' to fire Paapa Essiedu from Harry Potter for supporting trans rights: 'Wouldn’t exercise it if I did’
“I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine" The post JK Rowling doesn’t ‘have power’ to fire Paapa Essiedu from Harry Potter for supporting trans rights: ‘Wouldn’t exercise it if I did’ appeared first on Attitude.
"Harry Potter" and the lazy magic of symbol politics
British best-selling author J. K. Rowling not only stands for her novel series about magical school children, but also for rejecting the equation between transpersons and women. Now actors of the new "Harry Potter" series are fighting back – and they still collect money.
JK Rowling issues statement on Paapa Essiedu's Harry Potter future after actor's pro-trans support
JK Rowling issues statement on Paapa Essiedu's Harry Potter future after actor's pro-trans support sparks axe rumours - JK Rowling has stated she would not fire actor Paapa Essiedu from his role as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, despite his signing of a pro-trans rights letter that contradicts her own views
JK Rowling explains why she won't 'sack' Paapa Essiedu from Harry Potter TV show
JK Rowling has made it clear she does not want Essiedu to be removed from the series (Pictures: Getty) JK Rowling has explained why Paapa Essiedu will not be fired from the upcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter series despite him advocating for trans rights. From the moment Rowling was confirmed as an executive producer on the TV reboot, there has been a major backlash from the trans community and its allies. The show will star John Lithgow…
JK Rowling Said She ‘Wouldn’t Fire’ Actor From ‘Harry Potter’ Series For Being Pro-Trans
“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling said that even if she had the authority to have an actor removed from the upcoming HBO television series based on her best-selling books, she would not do it over ideological differences. “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” the billionaire author wrote on X in response to an article about Paapa Essiedu supporting rights for people who identify as transgen…
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