“Too Harsh”: JK Rowling Slammed by Yet Another ‘Harry Potter’ Star
For many longtime fans of the Harry Potter universe, the once-celebrated world of magic and mischief has become complicated. Once a franchise synonymous with childhood nostalgia, midnight movie premieres, and the magic of Hogwarts, the Wizarding World has, in recent years, become entangled in some very real-world controversy.
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That tension hasn’t stopped Warner Bros. Discovery from moving forward with a reboot of the beloved story. A brand-new Harry Potter television series is already in the works for HBO Max, with an anticipated release date set for 2027. Despite this attempt to breathe new life into the franchise, behind the scenes, the relationships among cast members and the story’s creator appear more fractured than ever.
In recent years, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has become one of the most divisive figures in entertainment. Though she built a billion-dollar empire with over 600 million copies of her books sold and nearly $8 billion earned at the box office, the public perception of Rowling has shifted dramatically following her outspoken views on the transgender community.
She has openly supported anti-transgender legislation in the UK and repeatedly stated that transgender women are not women, leading to a wave of backlash from fans and former collaborators alike.
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The controversy has caused a deep rift between Rowling and much of the Harry Potter cast. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—who played the iconic trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron—have all distanced themselves from the author.
Others, including Bonnie Wright, Katie Leung, Chris Rankin, David Tennant, and even Fantastic Beasts franchise star Eddie Redmayne, have also made public statements criticizing or separating themselves from Rowling’s views. Actor Pedro Pascal even went so far as to call her a “heinous loser.”
A few stars, like Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs, have been more cautious in their remarks—choosing instead to remain neutral or diplomatic when asked about the ongoing debate.
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But now, another voice from the Wizarding World is speaking out, and while she doesn’t go as far as some of her former co-stars, her message still offers clear disapproval.
In a recent appearance on the Gay Old Times podcast, Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes—who played the beloved Professor Pomona Sprout—shared her thoughts on Rowling’s controversial stance. Margolyes, who is openly gay, has a long history of candid commentary, and this time was no different.
“I donʼt agree with her about the trans issue – I think her opinion is too harsh. Itʼs not good to be so furious. We should be gentler with each other. Weʼre all oppressed by sections of the community. Letʼs just be kinder. I really just feel supportive about this tiny group of people who are trans, and if they want me to use pronouns, I think itʼs the right thing to do. If you can make people happy, do it.”
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This isn’t the first time Margolyes has commented on Rowling’s divisive views. In earlier interviews, she suggested that the backlash against Rowling had gone too far, but also made it clear that she doesn’t support alienating the young actors who starred in the films.
In one prior remark, she stated that while she understood Rowling’s frustration, the cast owed her nothing simply because they worked on the films she authored.
She’s also spoken more broadly about the hostility that surrounds the trans community. “Why are people so nasty? There are so few trans people. And I just think people should be allowed to get on and be who they are, or be who they want to be, without all this nastiness,” she said in a past interview.
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Despite the growing list of actors who have publicly criticized Rowling or cut ties with her altogether, HBO has confirmed that she will remain involved in the new Harry Potter series. In fact, Rowling is expected to serve as an executive producer, a decision that has prompted concern and even boycott threats from longtime fans who no longer support the author.
Still, Rowling appears undeterred. She’s doubled down on her remarks, proudly noting her contributions to anti-trans legislation in the UK and continuing to frame her opinions as a matter of “women’s rights.” That stance has led to her being embraced by some groups while continuing to draw intense criticism from others, especially within the entertainment community.
What are your thoughts on Miriam Margolyes’ comments? Do you believe cast members have a responsibility to speak up, or should they remain neutral? Let us know in the comments below!
