Many of the actors from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Eddie Redmayne, spoke out in favor of trans and nonbinary rights and identity as soon as J.K. Rowling first came out in June 2020 about her belief that transgender women are men and transgender men are women. MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron, two of the largest Harry Potter fan forums, condemned Rowling’s opinions and cut off communication with the author’s next works. Additionally, Warner Bros. issued a well-crafted statement stating that “a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world.” This statement put some rhetorical distance between the studio and the creator of one of its most successful and enduring franchises, even though it made no mention of Rowling or transgender or nonbinary individuals.
The situation has changed significantly in the last four years. With a focus on HBO’s upcoming long-form TV revival of Rowling’s book series, Warner Bros. Discovery has aggressively expanded the reach of Rowling’s Wizarding World under new leadership. The showrunner, Francesca Gardiner, and director, Mark Mylod, are both former “Succession” alumni. Rowling was “very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,” HBO executive Casey Bloys told reporters during a press conference on November 12; her anti-trans remarks “haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff” for the program.The network’s parent firm has “been working with J.K. Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years,” according to a network representative who told Variety that “her contribution has been invaluable.”
The statement went on to say, “We are honored to retell the tale of Harry Potter — the beloved novels that demonstrate the strength of friendship, perseverance, and acceptance.” J.K. Rowling is entitled to voice her own opinions. We will continue to concentrate on the creation of the new series, which will only gain from her participation. (A representative for Gardiner did not reply to a request for comment; a representative for Mylod sent Variety to HBO.)
Rowling, on the other hand, has built her online image revolve around her fight against trans identity. She announced the U.K. open casting call for Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter to her 14.2 million followers on X on September 11. That was an anomaly: In order to bolster her belief that gender identity “is defined by little more than a person’s subjective feelings, or (more accurately) their claim to feel those feelings,” Rowling wrote or reposted more than 200 times (not including replies) about trans-related topics over the course of the following two months. This was on October 7. A fan expressed their “immeasurable” dismay that Rowling was, in her words, “very involved” with the “Potter” series, and she claimed to have “pulled something laughing” at them in one of the eight other posts or reposts she made about the book during that same period. (Rowling declined to comment for this article through a spokeswoman.)
There has never been a situation in the industry when the sole creator of a well-liked, multibillion-dollar worldwide property has so openly jumped into one of the most divisive social topics in the culture. Many members of the core fans, whose dedication to the franchise began 25 years ago when they were young and continued long after the books and movie series ended, have effectively found her toxic. Those fans are now faced with a frustrating conundrum: If they strongly disagree with Rowling’s ideas on gender identity, how can they interact with the new series, or any other version of the franchise?
According to Melissa Anelli, webmistress of The Leaky Cauldron and author of “Harry, a History,” the website hasn’t released an update for its well-liked podcast PotterCast since March 2023. “Every time we get together for a lighthearted discussion about Harry Potter, the discussion turns sour and depressing, and as a result, we don’t publish,” she explains. It’s no longer as pure, thrilling, and enjoyable as it once was. This adds a layer of “rightness,” yet the person at the center of it all thinks that a particular group of people isn’t genuine.
According to Kat Miller, coauthor of “The Unofficial Harry Potter Companion” and creative director of MuggleNet, “fandom ten years ago was like a utopia.” A core fandom, defined by Miller as “majority women, and very, very, very queer,” was drawn to the “Harry Potter” novels and movies because of their emphasis on equality and inclusivity. These fans were united in their love for a story that had achieved a thrilling and profoundly satisfying end. The fan base has “definitely fractured today, and I think that is mostly because of her,” Miller says. Simply said, too many political issues are preventing the enthusiasm from reaching its full potential.
In fact, Rowling’s opinions have sparked both dissent and scathing support; while Radcliffe has persisted in expressing how “deeply sad” the author’s remarks on trans issues have made him, “Potter” stars Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ralph Fiennes have defended her, and responses to her on X are replete with encouraging remarks. “Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,” Rowling stated in April, expressing her displeasure with her legacy being affected by her gender activism. (Even this week, Rowling showed her determination by calling John Oliver, whom she had met when he volunteered for her children’s organization Lumos, “absolute bull—-” for supporting trans youngsters participating in sports on his HBO series “Last Week Tonight.”
Rowling has set a bar that any actor participating in the upcoming “Harry Potter” series will probably have to overcome when the show’s casting starts in earnest next year. This is also the time when the incoming Trump administration is probably going to begin putting plans into action to weaken protections for trans youth and trans health care. It’s impossible to criticize someone for wanting to complete the work. However, Miller notes that the internet, fandom, and politics of the situation will likely force them to speak up. “If you do not, people will assume that you share Rowling’s viewpoint.”
Although Rowling made fun of the new series in 2023, some Potter enthusiasts have called for a boycott, but Anelli is unsure of its potential impact. According to her, “there is the argument that support increases [Rowling’s] influence.” How much more she can have is beyond me. She views money as rather theoretical. What happens when a raindrop hits a thunderstorm is in the stratosphere. In the enormous Potter industry of book sales, video games, theme parks, toys, and other ancillary money streams, Anelli claims that four years of fan uproar and rejection of her work “has not affected the bottom line at all.” “If everybody who objects just leaves the floor, we’re leaving [Rowling] with a microphone all alone and no ability to influence that dialogue,” she says, indicating that complete disengagement is now counterproductive.
In light of this possibility, Tylor Starr, a Potter fandom specialist and co-author of “The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook,” conducted a confidential, unofficial survey to find out how 250 “deeply engaged Harry Potter fans” felt about Rowling and the series. He claims that 79% of cisgender respondents were undecided about purchasing a new Potter-related merchandise. As a result, Starr began looking at ways that Potter fans may “offset” their purchases. “Is it possible to donate a portion of your purchase of a new wand to a transgender charity?” he asks. “Many Harry Potter fans want to participate in the fandom even though they strongly disagree with Rowling’s viewpoints.”
Ironically, Rowling’s actions seem to have deepened the bonds among Potter fans, even as they have weakened their devotion to her. Miller states, “We did not want to be in the position of abandoning the fandom and shutting it down.” “We recognize the worth of the community that the fans established.” Without the author, we can still love and appreciate that.
