US EditionJ.K. Rowling Says She Wouldn't Fire 'Harry Potter' Star for Trans Support
- J.K. Rowling stated on May 5, 2025, that she would not fire Paapa Essiedu or other actors in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series for supporting trans rights despite differing views.
- This statement came amid backlash following the UK Supreme Court's April 17 ruling defining legal women by biological sex, a decision Rowling publicly celebrated.
- Essiedu, cast as Severus Snape, joined over 400 actors signing a letter urging protections against discrimination for trans, non-binary, and intersex people in the industry.
- Rowling clarified she lacks and would not exercise the power to dismiss actors, emphasizing she opposes taking jobs from those with legally protected beliefs different from hers.
- The controversy highlights division in the Harry Potter fandom and industry, with HBO assuring viewers that the series will not reflect Rowling's political views on trans issues.
15 Articles
15 Articles
J.K. Rowling Appears to Fire Back at Pedro Pascal After 'Heinous Loser' Insult With Cheeky Photo Swap on X
Weeks after Pedro Pascal hurled an insult at J.K. Rowling, calling the Harry Potter author a “heinous loser” over gender issues, the backlash hasn’t faded—it’s shifted. What started as a blunt remark posted to Instagram has evolved into a culture war moment, fueled by Rowling’s subtle, symbolic replies that put the final nail in the drama. She didn’t just brush off the attack—she dismissed Pascal entirely while winking at the audience. The post …
The Independent
The Independent (US)JK Rowling on why she won’t fire Harry Potter stars for pro-trans views
Author addressed suggestion she had ‘power to sack’ actor from new series
J.K. Rowling says she wouldn't fire pro-trans 'Harry Potter' actor if she had the power to
While J.K. Rowling believes in revoking trans women's access to women-only spaces, the Harry Potter author recently said she doesn't believe in "taking away people's jobs or livelihoods" because they disagree with her. This applies to Paapa Essiedu, recently cast as Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, signed an open letter with more than 400 film and TV industry workers in the U.K. calling for the industry to set up protections for tran…
WB's 'Harry Potter' actor condemns J.K. Rowling's 'disgusting' reason for celebration - will he be fired?
After learning that John Lithgow ditched a very good friend, a mother of a trans child, and shamelessly sidelined her plea to not align himself with J.K. Rowling and her destructive agenda against the transgender community, the fandom didn’t have much hope from the rest of the cast. Why would they, when it could endanger their hefty paychecks? But someone didn’t care and chose to stand up for what is right. A big section of the fandom – which ch…
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