Although she who must not be named is heavily involved in the upcoming Harry Potter series, Warner Bros. is distancing itself from her views.
HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys recently addressed J.K. Rowling‘s ongoing anti-transgender rhetoric and how it will impact the TV adaptation of her seven-book fantasy novel series.
“The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us,” said Bloys on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast. “We’ve been in business for 25 years. We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC.”
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He added, “It’s pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She’s entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”
Deadline previously reported Rowling was part of the pitch process for the Warner Bros. Television series, which she will produce through her Brontë Film and TV banner.
Bloys confirmed at the time that Rowling “will be involved. She’s an executive producer on the show. Her insights are going to be helpful on that.”
Explaining that the controversy around Rowling’s anti-trans statements is “very nuanced and complicated,” Bloys added: “Our priority is what’s on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.”
After Rowling previously celebrated UK’s Supreme Court ruling that prohibits trans women from being legally recognized as women, more than 400 people signed a letter urging the country’s film and television industry to take action against her on trans rights. One such signatory was Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in Harry Potter as Professor Snape.
When asked if Rowling’s comments made him hesitant to take on the role of Albus Dumbledore, John Lithgow said, “Oh, heavens no,” explaining: “I thought, why is this a factor at all? I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her and I’m curious to talk to her.”