Harry Potter actor speaks out on whether he'd ever work with JK Rowling again after her feud with Emma Watson heats up
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis has spoken out on whether he would work with JK Rowling again as her feud with Emma Watson continues to heat up.
The author, who created one of the most successful book series of all time, has faced criticism online in recent years due to her outspoken views on the LGBTQ+ community - in particular, transgender women.
Each of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, who portrayed Hermione, Harry and Ron in the films, has spoken out in support of the transgender community, much to the disappointment of JK Rowling.
Her dispute with Watson has ignited in recent weeks, however, after the 35-year-old actress spoke about their relationship during an episode of the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast.
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She said: "I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with."
The actress went on: "I will never believe that one negates the other, and that my experience of that person I don’t get to keep and cherish. I just don’t think these things are either/or.
"I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with."
JK was quick to respond with a lengthy statement on X, which included a reference to a handwritten note sent to her by Watson - although it seems as if she will continue to tell the golden trio to save their apologies, with forgiveness seemingly off the table.
Now, Lewis, who portrayed Neville Longbottom in the film franchise, has spoken out on whether he would work alongside the author again, while also sharing his views on the TV reboot, which is set to air on HBO in 2027.
On the show, he said during an interview with The Independent: "I haven’t really thought about the series as a whole at all, really, I’ll probably have to pay my therapist for a double session when I finally do think about it."
The 35-year-old actor said that any future work with Rowling would 'depend on the project', but suggested that he won't be returning in the TV series, even if he is glad about Neville once again hailing from Yorkshire.
He added: "I feel quite humbled in that Neville is now canon Yorkshire. Whether that’s a tribute to me or not, I don’t know, I’m gonna say that it is.
"But the last thing [the new cast] needs is for has-beens wading in, just let them cook."
He also suggested that he would 'have to have conversations' and make sure he was 'totally comfortable squaring it with his own beliefs' before agreeing to move forward with any future potential project involving the 60-year-old author.
While some actors from the magical world of Hogwarts have been outspoken against JK Rowling, others continue to stand by her, with Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton set to return as Lucius Malfoy in the theatre production of The Cursed Child.
He also had a pretty blunt response when asked about some of his co-star's ongoing arguments with Rowling, but it seems as if Lewis will have a more serious thought about accepting any work alongside the author, despite his last film credit coming in 2016 with Me Before You.
Topics: Emma Watson, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, UK News, Celebrity, TV and Film
James Moorhouse