Fans have a lot to say on the matter, and so too, it seems, has the cast of the original HP movies.
Many of the leading stars of the films that introduced screen audiences to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first place have already made clear how they feel about Rowling’s attitudes long before Hogwarts Legacy came about. While some have stood their ground in opposition to the billionaire writer’s views, others have been less damning, with certain cast even coming out in her defense. Here are all the most notable reactions to Rowling’s rhetoric from Harry Potter stars.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint
In the wake of Rowling’s anti-trans views becoming abundantly clear for the first time back in summer 2020, thankfully the so-called Golden Trio quickly spoke out against her opinions and in of the trans community. While all three have been careful not to disparage the author as a person, Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) have made clear — on at least two occasions each at the time of writing — that they have no truck with Rowling’s hurtful comments, much to the relief of their millions of fans.
Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, and Harry Melling
On the other hand, a trio of their fellow former Harry Potter stars have not come down so hard on J.K. Rowling. While likewise attempting to distance themselves from Rowling’s transphobic rhetoric and making clear that they don’t share her views, these three actors have nonetheless attempted to remain impartial in the matter and have refrained from speaking ill of the creator.
First, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) has stressed that he doesn’t “tend to pick sides,” describing himself as “pro-love,” but he did offer his glowing opinion of Rowling that “no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life.”
Felton’s on-screen father Jason Isaacs ironically said much the same to The Telegraph in Jan. 2022. Although itting that he didn’t want to “get drawn into the trans issues,” which he feels is an “extraordinary minefield,” Isaacs stated: “She has her opinions, I have mine. They differ in many different areas.” He did, however, praise Rowling’s extensive charity work, which he called “unequivocally good.”
Lastly, Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley) offered something of a synthesis of the Golden Trio’s responses with the neutrality of the on-screen Malfoys. He informed The Independent in Jan. 2023: “I can only speak for myself, and what I feel, to me, is very simple, which is that transgender women are women and transgender men are men.” That said, he added, “I don’t want to the debate of pointing fingers and saying, ‘That’s right, that’s wrong,’ because I don’t think I’m the correct spokesperson for that.”
Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, and Robbie Coltrane
At the other end of the scale, three additional Harry Potter stars have prior to his death, commenting: “‘I don’t think what she said was offensive, really. ”
Published: Feb 1, 2023 08:44 am