J.K. Rowling remains “fairly involved” in ‘Harry Potter’ TV series despite fan backlash to anti-trans statements

J.K. Rowling still remains “fairly involved” in the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, it has been confirmed.

HBO CEO Casey Bloys gave an update on the author’s involvement during a press preview event for the company’s upcoming 2025 slate. He was asked specifically about Rowling’s past anti-trans sentiments on X compared to how much she has posted about Potter.

In response, Bloys said she’s “been fairly involved in the process of selecting the writer and director,” and that “I imagine she’ll have opinions on casting,” but her involvement hasn’t deterred anyone from being willing to participate in the show, according to IndieWire.

He also said that her influence “hasn’t affected” the overall interest in the creative community wanting to bring Harry Potter to the small screen.

It comes after many fans previously objected to her involvement in the forthcoming series.

Daniel Radcliffe also previously reflected on her controversial views in an interview with The Atlantic. “It makes me really sad, ultimately,” he said. “Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathetic.”

In 2020, Radcliffe wrote an essay in support of the trans community, referencing Rowling. “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

She has since publicly addressed criticism she has received from Harry Potter stars regarding her views on the trans community.

More recently, Rowling got involved in an alleged transphobia controversy surrounding the Butlin’s holiday resort in Skegness, and was also named in a lawsuit filed by Olympic boxer Imane Khelif.

The show is expected to run for seven seasons, with each adapting one of the books in J.K. Rowling’s series. It was recently announced that the show would see Succession duo Francesca Gardiner as its writer and showrunner, and Mark Mylod as director on multiple episodes.

Elsewhere, Bloys was asked when the series is likely to be released and how they’re approaching filming each season.

He said that the show is unlikely to surface before the “top of ’27,” but “don’t hold me to any of that”.

Bloys also added that they are only just thinking about the writing and casting process and they are considering shooting the first and second seasons in close proximity to each other.

So far, no one has been cast in the upcoming HBO series, though open castings for the series leads opened in the UK and Ireland in September.

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