Bel Powley, known for her work in the Harry Potter franchise, has publicly separated herself from JK Rowling’s stance on gender issues.
Powley, 34, who is cast as Petunia Dursley in HBO Max’s upcoming television version of the Harry Potter stories, declared she strongly disagrees with the author’s beliefs.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the actress stated that the trans community deserves safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.
She went on to say that she strongly disagrees with JK Rowling’s views on gender.
Powley, who will play Harry Potter’s Muggle aunt in the new adaptation, described herself as an enormous fan of the book series. She explained that she loves Harry Potter, grew up with the books, is from that first generation of readers, and again, loves magic and spookiness.
Rowling has attracted persistent criticism for her comments about biological sex, which she maintains is genuine and unchangeable. The author has refuted accusations of transphobia, asserting she values every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.
Other performers associated with the film series have also voiced opposition to Rowling’s position. Daniel Radcliffe has maintained that trans women are women, while Emma Watson has advocated for respect and acceptance regarding transgender individuals.
Some, however, have defended the author. Ralph Fiennes described the vitriol directed at her as disgusting and appalling.
The new HBO Max television adaptation of Harry Potter will launch on December 25.
The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. John Lithgow portrays Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu plays Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer takes on the role of Minerva McGonagall. Nick Frost appears as Rubeus Hagrid, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.