Comments by those involved
J.K. Rowling says it was her choice not to appear in ‘Harry Potter’ reunion
MARIANNE GARVEY – 30 August 2022 – CNN
J.K. Rowling says she was invited to participate in the “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” reunion special earlier this year but declined.
The “Harry Potter” author was on Graham Norton’s “Radio Show” podcast, where she said “no one said don’t come” to the reunion, she just decided she didn’t want to participate.
“Yeah, I was asked to be on that and I decided I didn’t want to do it,” she said of the HBO Max special. “I thought it was about the films more than the books, you know, quite rightly. I mean, that was what the anniversary was about.”
At the time, it was speculated that Rowling’s absence was due to controversy around views the writer has expressed that have been criticized by some as transphobic. Cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Eddie Redmayne made statements in support of the trans community…
EMMA WATSON
Tweets after J K Rowling statement of 10 June 2020
“I’m here for all the witches:” Emma Watson praised for ‘giant dig’ at JK Rowling
SINEAD BUTLER – Mar 14, 2022 – Indy 100
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At the star-studded ceremony, the Harry Potter star was presenting the award for Outstanding British Film and was introduced by host Rebel Wilson beforehand.
“Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch,” Wilson joked.
The 31-year-old made her way to the podium where she quipped: “I’m here for all of the witches by the way,” to which the audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London erupted in applause…
Emma Watson critisized for refusing to work with J.K. Rowling
TAMMY MOIR – June 27 2022 – Happy Mag TV
Emma Watson has been criticized heavily on social media after sources close to the actress said she is unwilling to return to the Harry Potter franchise if J.K. Rowling is involved with the project. Watson has indicated that she will only return to the franchise if J.K. Rowling is not involved in any way. This news incited hundreds of Twitter comments and social posts, declaring, “how dare Emma Watson bite the hand that feeds her.”
Watson, 32, is said to have made the decision following controversial comments by Rowling, 56, about the trans community. Giant Freaking Robot revealed in a report that “trusted and proven sources” had claimed the actress will only return to the franchise if the author, who created the series, is not involved in any way…
DANIEL RADCLIFFE
Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity
JOSH WEAVER – 8 June 2020 – The Trevor Project
I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment.
Transgender women 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. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm….
EVANNA LYNCH
Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch on J.K. Rowling: “Trans Women Are Women”
YOHANA DESTA – 10 June 2020 – Vanity Fair
More Harry Potter stars are speaking out against J.K. Rowling after the billionaire author posted a series of transphobic tweets over the weekend. Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular role in the film franchise, released a lengthy statement to the Trevor Project site, denouncing Rowling’s words. Now Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the series, is also speaking out…
ROBBIE COLTRANE
Robbie Coltrane defends JK Rowling in trans row
RACHEL MCGRATH – 15 September 2020 – The Evening Standard
Robbie Coltrane has defended JK Rowling from accusations of transphobia, saying he does not find her views offensive.
Harry Potter author Rowling has attracted strong criticism for comments on gender identity, but vehemently denies she is transphobic.
The row was reignited this week when a Sunday Telegraph review of her latest book, Troubled Blood, said it featured a “transvestite serial killer”.
Coltrane, who played gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has suggested people are too easily offended…
Thread
TOM FELTON
Tom Felton speaks in support of JK Rowling amid online backlash
SHOMINI SEN – 12 October 2022 – Wion
Actor Tom Felton, who famously played Draco Malfoy in the ‘Harry Potter’ film series has spoken in support of author JK Rowling on whose books the films were based. Over the last few years, Rowling has been slammed majorly on social media for her beliefs on biological sex and gender.
Felton spoke about his admiration for Rowling and how her writing has brought people together across the world in an interview with The Times Of London.
“I can’t speak for what other individuals have said,” he told the outlet. “I am constantly reminded that the Potter-verse, certainly when we were finishing the films, there was an expectation that the fandom would be dwindling slowly over the years, whereas most fans that say hello to me, shout ‘Potter’ or ‘Draco’ at me weren’t even born when the books were being made.”
Felton added how grateful he was to the author. “I am quick to remind myself and others that ‘Potter’ for some reason has brought more people together across the world and more generations than probably anything else has in the past 20 years, and I’m quick to celebrate that,” he added. “It came from one person, and that’s her, so I’m very grateful.”…
Warner Bros admits it was ‘wholly wrong’ to block Sky News questions in JK Rowling censorship row
AMY HITCHCOCK – 30 June 2022 – Sky News
Sky News was blocked from asking actor Tom Felton a question about JK Rowling in an interview earlier this week. The author has been absent from Harry Potter related events in recent months, including the reunion, which was released on 1 January.
Warner Bros. has defended JK Rowling, contradicting a decision to ban Sky News from asking questions about the Harry Potter author at an event at Warner Studios Tour last week.
In the run-up to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 25th Anniversary celebrations at the weekend, Sky News was invited to interview Tom Felton for the launch of a new Mandrakes and Magical Creatures attraction, but when we asked about Rowling the PR interjected insisting we move onto the next question.
In an email attempting to explain why Rowling’s name couldn’t be mentioned, the PR (brought in to run the event) said Rowling is “not relevant” or “connected to Warner”….
RALPH FIENNES
‘Lord Voldemort’ blasts ‘disgusting’ treatment of J.K. Rowling
GEORDIE GRAY – 26 October 2022 – The Australian
Actor Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film franchise, has come out swinging in defence of author JK Rowling, saying that the “abuse directed at her is disgusting.”
In a new profile with New York Times, Fiennes reflected on his “stonkingly vast” role as the iconic Harry Potter villain (for the record, he hates the series), and defended Rowling against allegations of transphobia.
The actor noted that he can empathise with the “viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about woman.” But added, that Rowling is not “some obscene, über-right-wing fascist.”
“It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman,” he continued…