'Harry Potter' fans reject news of possible TV series in light of JK Rowling's 'transphobia' row

Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
Updated ·4-min read

Watch: Talks of a new Harry Potter TV show on HBO Max

Harry Potter fans have mixed feelings about reports a new TV series based on the books in in the pipeline – following JK Rowling’s transphobia row.

The author was accused of transphobia last year after comments she made on social media about gender identity.

According to The Hollywood Reporter HBO Max is in the early stages of developing a live action TV series based on Rowling’s books about boy wizard Harry and his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

FILE - In a Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 file photo, author and Lumos Foundation founder J.K. Rowling attends the HBO Documentary Films premiere of "Finding the Way Home" at 30 Hudson Yards, in New York. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has fallen under scrutiny after her series of tweets Saturday, June 6, 2020 were deemed as trans phobic.(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Some Harry Potter fans are unhappy to think JK Rowling will profit from a new TV show. (AP)

Read more: Jedward appeal to JK Rowling over accepting trans rights

But some Harry Potter fans are threatening to boycott any such show to prevent Rowling benefitting from any royalties.

British author JK Rowling, second left, joins actors, left to right, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in Trafalgar Square, central London, for the World Premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" the last film in the series, Thursday, July 7, 2011. Harry Potter's saga is ending, but his magic spell remains. Thousands of fans from around the world massed in London Thursday for the premiere of the final film in the magical adventure series. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
JK Rowling with Harry Potter movie stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. (AP)

Steph Kyriacou wrote: “Okay see, there’s a difference between still being a Harry Potter fan/keeping your fandom mementos while also denouncing JK Rowling, and this, which is ACTIVELY giving her MORE money and not showing her any real consequences for her repeatedly HARMFUL transphobia. I’m tired.”

Alisha tweeted: “Ugh i wish the Harry Potter series would be possible without supporting JK Rowling. [sic]”

Elle M posted: “JK Rowling will profit from any and all new Harry Potter-related media. If you spend money consuming that media, you are giving JK Rowling money. That's it. That's the tweet.”

Sara Clements said: “Harry Potter was the biggest part of my childhood and if it weren’t for the fact that JK Rowling is transphobic a**hole I would be so excited for this but really..... who’s even going to watch this now? What’s the point?”

Chad Kukahiko tweeted: “It makes me very sad, but the #transphobia of @jk_rowling makes it impossible for me to pay another dime directly or give any streaming fees for the upcoming #HarryPotter TV series that's in development. I just pray she sees the error of her ways & apologies before it comes out.”

Rowling, 55, was accused of transphobia after a series of posts on Twitter last June, responding to a story with a headline which read: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”

Read more: Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane defends JK Rowling in transphobia row

She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

She went on to defend her comments saying: “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”

FILE - This Sunday May 30, 2004 file photo shows Daniel Radcliffe, left, who plays Harry Potter, Rupert Grint, second left, who plays Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson, right, who plays Hermione Granger, at the UK premiere of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", with author J K Rowling, in London. At last, Harry Potter's adventures are available electronically. The seven novels about J.K. Rowling's boy wizard are for sale as e-books and audio books on the author's Pottermore website, the site's creators announced Tuesday March 27, 2012. The books are available only through the website, which says they are compatible with major electronic e-readers, including Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader, as well as with tablets and mobile phones. (AP Photo/John D McHugh, file)
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all distanced themselves from JK Rowling's comments. (AP)

Rowling was criticised for her remarks by Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne.

Rowling’s series of seven children’s novels about the boy wizard were turned into a successful movie franchise by Warner Bros between 2001 and 2011, and a further spin-off franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on a fictional textbook within the original novels is still ongoing.

Watch: A new ‘Harry Potter’ TV show is in the pipeline

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