Veteran actor John Lithgow has openly expressed his bewilderment at author JK Rowling's controversial position on transgender rights, labelling her views as "ironic and somewhat inexplicable." The 80-year-old star, who is preparing to portray the beloved wizard Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming and highly expensive Harry Potter television adaptation, made these remarks during a public appearance at the Rotterdam film festival.
Addressing the Backlash and Rowling's Stance
Speaking candidly after a screening of his latest film, Jimpa, Lithgow addressed the significant backlash he has faced for accepting the role of Dumbledore. He revealed that the criticism, particularly from supporters of trans rights, has been a source of personal distress. "It upsets me when people are vehemently opposed to me having anything to do with this," Lithgow confessed to the audience, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
He elaborated on his perspective, highlighting the core themes of the Harry Potter universe. "JK Rowling has created this amazing canon for young people... It's so much about acceptance. It's about good versus evil. It's about kindness versus cruelty. It's deeply felt," Lithgow stated. He then directly addressed the author's public statements, adding, "I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views."
A Difficult Decision and Public Protest
The actor disclosed that his decision to take on the iconic role was not made lightly. He recounted receiving an open letter from a friend with a transgender child, urging him to "walk away from Harry Potter." "It was a hard decision," Lithgow admitted. "It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that."
His commitment to the project was met with direct disapproval at the festival, where one audience member expressed disappointment before leaving the room in protest. Lithgow responded with understanding, saying, "I'm perfectly ready for collisions of opinion. I understand it."
Rowling's Position and Industry Reactions
JK Rowling, who serves as an executive producer on the new series, has been a prominent and polarising figure in the debate over transgender rights since 2020. She has publicly opposed what she terms "the new trans activism," citing concerns about the safety of cisgender women in single-sex spaces. Rowling has also made substantial financial contributions, including a £70,000 donation to the campaign group For Women Scotland and founding the JK Rowling Women's Fund to support sex-based rights.
Lithgow was keen to note Rowling's limited involvement in the television production. "She's not really involved in this production at all," he said, praising the creative team behind the adaptation. "The people who are re-adapting Harry Potter... are remarkable. These are people I really want to work with."
A Growing Chorus of Dissent
Lithgow joins a growing list of actors associated with the Wizarding World who have distanced themselves from Rowling's views. Fellow cast members of the new HBO series, including Nick Frost (Hagrid) and Paapa Essiedu (Snape), have publicly disagreed with the author. Rowling has stated she would not seek to remove Essiedu from the show despite his support for trans rights, asserting she does not believe in costing people their jobs over differing, legally protected beliefs.
This stance follows critical statements from the original film series stars—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—as well as Fantastic Beasts actor Eddie Redmayne, all of whom have expressed support for the transgender community.
Looking Ahead to an Eight-Year Magical Commitment
The new Harry Potter series, slated for a 2027 premiere on HBO, promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the books and is planned to run for a decade. Lithgow humorously acknowledged the long-term nature of his contract during his Rotterdam talk. "I'm the oldest person in this entire room, just turned 80. And yet I signed a contract – I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years!" he joked, adding, "I felt: 'Wow! That means I will live to be 88.'"
Despite the surrounding controversy, Lithgow remains enthusiastic about the role and the story's enduring message. "Dumbledore is a beautiful role," he said, reaffirming his belief that the Potter canon itself champions acceptance and stands in stark contrast to the current discourse.
