John Lithgow, the actor set to play the new Dumbledore, has hit out at JK Rowling’s views after he received criticism for taking the part.
The new HBO remake of Harry Potter, which recently received a release window of early 2027, has been marred by controversy surrounding JK Rowling.
Rowling’s views on the transgender community have been hotly debated, with the author accused of having made several anti-trans statements. These include intentionally misgendering transgender newscaster India Willoughby and multiple other transgender women in response to new hate crime laws in Scotland, as well as saying in 2024 that 'there are no trans kids'.
This has led to public clashes with Emma Watson, Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, and Daniel Radcliffe, all of whom have voiced their opposition to her views.
Advert
Now, Lithgow has given his thoughts on Rowling's statements.
Speaking at the Rotterdam Film Festival, where he was promoting his new film Jimpa, Lithgow spoke about why he accepted the role despite being critical of her views on the transgender community.
He said: “I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty.”
He went on to add: “I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her; she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.
“It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this.”
The actor hit back, however, at claims that Rowling’s books contained hints of her later foray into anti-trans sentiment, saying: “In ‘Potter’ canon, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity.
“She’s written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. Dumbledore is a beautiful role. It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.”
Lithgow is not the first actor from the upcoming HBO show to distance himself from Rowling’s views, with Nick Frost having spoken out previously.
The Hot Fuzz star is set to play Hagrid in the upcoming version of the wizarding story and, in an interview with The Observer, said: “She's allowed her opinion, and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form.”
He went on to push back against the idea that the debate around her views would ‘overshadow’ the series, saying: “But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.”
Paapa Essiedu, the actor set to play Snape in the show, has not spoken out specifically, but was one of several celebrities to sign an open letter calling for the protection of transgender rights in the UK.
This led Rowling to comment that she ‘didn’t have the power’ to fire actors for holding rights different to her, and ‘wouldn’t exercise it’ even if she did.
Whilst Radcliffe, Watson, and other actors from the film series, like Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, and Katie Leung, have voiced their support for the transgender community in opposition to Rowling, others have supported her.
When asked about the controversy surrounding Rowling in his recent return to the role of Draco Malfoy on stage, Tom Felton said: “I can’t say it [impacts me], I’m not really that attuned to it. I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter.
“She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
Topics: JK Rowling, Harry Potter, TV and Film, TV, LGBTQ, Celebrity
Michael Slavin