J.K. Rowling remains a controversial figure for her bigoted views in the larger background of the upcoming Harry Potter TV show remake. One of the stars of the show recently spoke on her involvement with it.
What actor spoke about J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the show?
Speaking during a recent appearance at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (via THR), John Lithgow — who plays Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming series — was asked about navigating being in the show versus dealing with Rowling’s bigoted public statements towards trans people.
Lithgow said he finds it “ironic and somewhat inexplicable” that Rowling can hold such views despite making a series that focuses so largely on acceptance and love.
“I take the subject and the issue extremely seriously. J.K. Rowling has created this amazing canon for young people, young kids’ literature that has jumped into the consciousness of society,” Lithgow said. “Young and old people love Harry Potter and the Harry Potter stories. It’s so much about acceptance. It’s about good versus evil. It’s about kindness versus cruelty. It’s deeply felt.
“I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views,” Lithgow continued, before noting that Rowling is “not really involved” with the show in any capacity. “I’ve read about them, and I’ve never met her. She’s not really involved in this production at all. The people who are re-adapting Harry Potter and turning it into an eight-year-long TV series are remarkable. … These are people I really want to work with.”
Despite Rowling’s lack of involvement with the show, many fans online are hesitant to support the show given the success it will inevitably give to Rowling. The HBO adaptation is being written by Emmy-winning producer Francesca Gardiner (Killing Eve, Succession). The series is executive produced by Gardiner, Mark Mylod, Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and long-time Harry Potter franchise producer David Heyman.
Alongside Lithgow, the upcoming series will be led by Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Alongside the trio, the Harry Potter TV show also stars, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, and Bertie Carvel as the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.