John Lithgow's Non-Binary Co-Star Voices Hurt Over Harry Potter Casting
Aud Mason-Hyde, the non-binary actor who stars alongside John Lithgow in the new drama Jimpa, has publicly described feeling "vaguely hurtful" and "disconcerted" by Lithgow's decision to accept the role of Albus Dumbledore in the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter television series. The casting has sparked controversy due to author JK Rowling's widely criticised comments regarding the transgender community.
A Beautiful Human, A Confusing Choice
In an interview with OUT magazine, Mason-Hyde was effusive in their praise for Lithgow as a co-star, hailing the 80-year-old actor as "a beautiful human" with whom they never felt invalidated in their identity. However, they expressed profound confusion over his choice to join a production associated with Rowling.
"I consistently felt that he was a very loving and a very guiding co-star, and so there's an element of this that feels vaguely hurtful," Mason-Hyde stated. "I do also think that it's a strange decision, for sure. And also I found it disconcerting, maybe, is the right word."
Lithgow's Defence and Rowling's 'Inexplicable' Views
John Lithgow has himself addressed the criticism during a recent appearance at the Rotterdam Film Festival. He told audiences he was "upset" by the backlash and took the subject "extremely seriously." Lithgow sought to distance the production from the author, stating Rowling is "not really involved in this production at all" and branding her views on transgender rights as "ironic and inexplicable."
He expressed particular bewilderment, noting the Harry Potter stories are fundamentally about "kindness versus cruelty" and "acceptance." "JK Rowling has created this amazing canon for young people... It's so much about acceptance. It's about good versus evil," Lithgow said.
Broader Cast Controversy and Industry Backlash
Lithgow is not the only cast member facing scrutiny. The ensemble for the new series includes several high-profile actors whose participation has drawn comment:
- Nick Frost (cast as Rubeus Hagrid) has previously stated his views "don't align in any way, shape or form" with Rowling's.
- Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape) was among hundreds of industry professionals who signed a letter calling for action on trans rights following a controversial UK Supreme Court ruling.
- Other cast members include Janet McTeer, Katherine Parkinson, and Johnny Flynn.
Rowling directly addressed reports suggesting she might seek to have Essiedu removed from the project, writing on X/Twitter: "I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."
A Difficult Moment in Time
For Mason-Hyde, learning of Lithgow's casting was "definitely a difficult moment in time." They emphasised that his decision, made after they had filmed and premiered Jimpa together, does not negate the positive experience of their collaboration or the "incredibly authentic" work Lithgow delivered in that film.
"It can't take away from what we had and the time that we spent together and the beautiful work that he does in this movie," Mason-Hyde concluded, underscoring the complex personal and professional tensions at play.
The Harry Potter television series is currently in production and is scheduled to premiere on HBO in 2027.
