Keira Knightley has responded to criticism after being cast for a role in the upcoming Harry Potter audiobook series.
The British actress is known for roles in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride & Prejudice, but her latest one has caused a lot of uproar.
It was recently revealed that Knightley would be voicing villain Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.
Umbridge was previously portrayed by Imelda Staunton, known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown, in the film series.
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The audiobook series will be released as a collaboration between Audible and Pottermore Publishing. The latter company is owned by the author of the original Harry Potter novels, JK Rowling, who is no stranger to controversy.
Over the past few years, Rowling has come under criticism for her controversial views on the transgender community.
Despite the author's claims that she is not transphobic, having previously said that she respects 'every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them', she also said she'd 'happily' go to jail for misgendering a trans person, and has repeatedly misgendered trans women, including trans newsreader India Willoughby.
A few Harry Potter stars have spoken out against Rowling, including the main trio, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, with the author having since responded to Radcliffe and Watson's comments online.
Because of the controversy surrounding Rowling, people online have taken to social media to express their disappointment at actors participating in Harry Potter projects, such as the audiobooks and the upcoming HBO TV series.
But despite all the backlash, Knightley claimed that she was not aware of the franchise's boycott in response to Rowling's actions.
When asked about it all by Decider, she answered: "I was not aware of that, no. I'm very sorry. You know, I think we're all living in a period of time right now where we're all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren't we?"
"And we've all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect," she concluded.
Knightley isn't the only person to have spoken about discourse on the franchise.
Nick Frost, who will portray Rubeus Hagrid in the TV series, has previously talked about why he felt comfortable taking the role.
In June, the Hot Fuzz star told The Observer that he'd turned off social media comments after receiving backlash for accepting the role.
When asked about his and Rowling's views, he said: "She's allowed her opinion, and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form."
The Shaun of the Dead actor continued: "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."
After Papa Essiedu, who will be portraying the TV series' Severus Snape, signed a petition in support of trans rights, Rowling said she doesn't 'have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did', adding: "I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."
Topics: Harry Potter, Celebrity News, Film
Joshua Nair