The Harry Potter franchise, once a beacon of magic and unity for fans around the world, is now facing a growing divide—one that appears to be impacting the financial success of the company behind one of its most prominent ventures. Despite the enduring popularity of J.K. Rowling’s creation, the controversies surrounding her personal views have cast a shadow over the franchise’s future, including the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Rowling, who has been at the center of divisive debates on social media regarding transgender issues, has faced widespread backlash for comments many consider transphobic.
Her views have sparked public feuds with former Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson and led to strained relationships with LGBTQ+ communities. Although Rowling defends her stance as a fight for women’s rights, critics argue that her words have hurt transgender individuals and their rights, leading to a split among Harry Potter fans.
This rift in the fanbase has only deepened as new projects associated with the Harry Potter franchise continue to roll out. For example, last year’s release of Hogwarts Legacy, a video game set in the Wizarding World, reignited the debate about whether purchasing the game indirectly supported Rowling’s controversial views.
A similar controversy looms over the upcoming Harry Potter reboot on HBO, with Rowling serving as an executive producer and another Audible adaptation in the works.
The announcement of the latter was followed by a report from The Insneider that Warner Bros. Discovery has considered potentially buying Rowling out of the franchise to build the Wizarding World without the baggage of her involvement.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Faces Decline
Amid these ongoing tensions, Harry Potter Theatrical Productions—the company Rowling co-founded to oversee the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—has reported significant financial losses.
The company, whose shows have been a major global venture, saw a decline in turnover from £45.2 million in 2023 to £41.3 million for the year ending March 31, 2024. Though Harry Potter Theatrical Productions slightly reduced its pre-tax loss, down from £960,026 to £876,003, the figures reflect a wider decline in the UK’s theater industry, particularly following the post-COVID boom.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage play that follows Harry Potter, now an adult and father, working as a Ministry employee, and his youngest son, Albus Potter. The story explores the strained relationship between Harry and Albus as they both struggle with their legacies. Albus befriends Scorpius Malfoy, and the two attempt to alter the past using time travel, leading to unintended consequences
Despite this financial dip, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remains profitable, with the London and Broadway productions continuing to run successfully. However, several international productions, including those in Melbourne and Toronto, have already closed their doors in recent years.
The show continues to be a significant part of the Wizarding World, with the London production celebrating its seven-year anniversary and the Broadway performance becoming the fifth-longest-running play in the history of the Great White Way.
While the success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is undeniable, the ongoing financial troubles and the split in the fanbase underscore a larger problem: the future of the Harry Potter franchise may depend on how well it can navigate the controversies surrounding its creator. In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will unveil its third Wizarding World area, based on the Ministry of Magic, which may serve as a bright spot for the franchise.
However, rumors surrounding a potential film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—a project some fans have likened to fan fiction—are complicated by the growing rift between Rowling and the original cast.
As the Harry Potter universe expands, it remains to be seen whether it can continue to thrive amid the financial pressures and divisive controversies that now surround it.
Have you ever seen Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
