J.K. Rowling Addresses Rumors She’ll Fire Pro-Trans ‘Harry Potter’ Actors

Over on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the producer revealed that she does not have the authority to fire actors from the show.

“I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” she wrote. “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”

“What a strange and novel concept that you have been trying to tell people for years,” one fan commented.

Rowling replied, “Yes, it is indeed incredible that I wouldn’t do the thing I’ve been saying for years nobody should be doing.”

The news article headline contained a photograph of Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Potions Master Severus Snape. The role had been played by the late Alan Rickman in the original movie series.

Many fans have taken to social media to express concerns that Rowling’s controversial perspective will make its way to Hogwarts. However, Casey Bloys, the chairman and CEO of content at HBO and Max, denied that her perspective on trans rights would impact the new series.

“Harry Potter is not being secretly infused with anything,” he said on The Town podcast. “And she’s entitled to those views. And I think people are pretty clear that she’s entitled to them.”

John Lithgow, who has been cast as Albus Dumbledore in the new series, has also spoken out about Rowling’s controversial viewpoints and how a good friend tried to deter him from taking the role.

When speaking with the U.K.’s Sunday Times, Lithgow noted that his decision to accept the role of Dumbledore was one of the biggest of his career.

“It was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play,” he shared. “It’s an eight-year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.”

The actor admitted that he was “curious to talk to” Rowling about her stance and the criticism that came with it, but it was not going to deter him from taking on the role of a lifetime.

“I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,” he reflected. “I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.”