As the cloak of invisibility starts to slowly get lifted, more details are being revealed surrounding J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the upcoming “Harry Potter” TV series.
In a recent statement from HBO provided to Variety and The Wrap, HBO said that it has “been working with J. K. Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years.”
“With millions of fans continuing to enjoy movies, games and experiences, we’ve had great success and her contribution has been invaluable,” the statement said. “We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.”
The inclusion of the word “acceptance” is particularly striking, given Rowling’s public stance on the transgender community. The author has come under fire time and time again for her transphobic comments.
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter in the movie versions of Rowling’s bestselling book series, has spoken out in disapproval over the author’s anti-trans crusade.
“It makes me really sad, ultimately,” he told The Atlantic in an interview published in April, “because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathetic.”
Representatives from HBO also stated that “J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views.”
“We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,” the statement read.
Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric has a long-running history. A detailed timeline of her hateful speech compiled by Glamour in September includes numerous tweets illustrating the author’s attacks on trans people. It also cites an essay Rowling wrote in 2020 in which she detailed why she was “worried about the new trans activism.”
The Harry Potter series is slated to premiere in 2027, according to Entertainment Weekly.