John Lithgow has described JK Rowling's stance on transgender rights as 'ironic and inexplicable', as he addressed backlash over his casting as Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter television series. Speaking at the Rotterdam film festival, the 80-year-old actor said the controversy 'upsets me' but defended his decision to take the role.
Lithgow acknowledged the 'amazing canon' Rowling created, noting the Harry Potter stories are 'about acceptance... kindness versus cruelty'. However, he expressed bewilderment at her views, stating: 'I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views.' He added that Rowling is 'not really involved in this production at all'.
The actor revealed that a friend with a transgender child sent him an open letter urging him to walk away from the project. 'It was a hard decision,' Lithgow said. 'It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.' One audience member reportedly left the room in protest during the festival.
Rowling has faced criticism since 2020 when she posted a lengthy statement opposing proposed changes to gender recognition laws, citing her experiences of sexual assault. She has donated to groups advocating for women's sex-based rights and founded the JK Rowling Women's Fund. Other actors in the new series, including Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu, have distanced themselves from her views.
The Harry Potter series, set to premiere in 2027, will be a 'faithful adaptation' of the books, running for an estimated 10 years. Lithgow joked about his contract, saying: 'I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years... That means I will live to be 88.'
