JK Rowling's relationship with the actors who starred in her Harry Potter films appears to be irreparably damaged, following the author's repeated comments on transgender people. In recent weeks, Rowling, 58, has misgendered trans women and suggested the community contained sexual predators, prompting further backlash.
The rift began in 2019 when Rowling supported Maya Forstater, a researcher who lost her job over allegedly transphobic tweets. In June 2020, Rowling mocked the term 'people who menstruate' in a post on X/Twitter, writing: 'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?' She later stated that 'sex isn't real' and claimed that 'erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives'.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular wizard, was the first actor to respond publicly. In a statement for The Trevor Project, he said: 'Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people.' Emma Watson echoed this, writing that 'trans people are who they say they are'. Rupert Grint also affirmed: 'Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.'
Other cast members have spoken out more cautiously. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, said in 2022 that he was 'not going to be jumping to stab [Rowling] in the front – or back', describing the issue as 'such an extraordinary minefield'. At the 2022 Baftas, Watson appeared to reference the controversy when she said she was 'for all the witches' during her presentation.
On 10 April, Rowling suggested on X/Twitter that she would never 'forgive' Radcliffe and Watson for their stance. Her comments come after the introduction of Scotland's new Hate Crime and Public Order Act on 1 April, which makes it an offence to 'stir up hatred' based on characteristics including transgender identity. Rowling has been a vocal critic of the legislation, claiming it could threaten women's rights.
