JK Rowling has explained why Paapa Essiedu will not be fired from the upcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter series despite him advocating for trans rights.
From the moment Rowling was confirmed as an executive producer on the TV reboot, which will star John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Hagrid, there has been a major backlash from the trans community and its allies.
Many fans of the original films said they were planning on boycotting the new series as an act of protest against Rowling’s comments about trans people.
But, after Essiedu was announced to play Severus Snape, there were mixed feelings around the casting of the I May Destroy You star, who has previously supported LGBTQ+ rights.
In an open letter last month, Essiedu joined the likes of Bella Ramsey, Harris Dickinson and Nicola Coughlan in signing a petition calling for the entertainment industry in the UK to protect the trans community.
The statement, backed up by over 2,000 signatories, declared ‘solidarity with the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities’ and preached that film and TV are ‘powerful tools for empathy and education’.
It also said: ‘We believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds. This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.’
Despite this, Rowling took to social media to confirm that she did not want Essiedu to be removed from the series, despite his views differing from her own.
Writing on X, the 59-year-old said: ‘I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series, and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did.
‘I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.’
Rowling has sparked backlash over the years for expressing views that have been described as transphobic by the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights groups.
She has also regularly been involved in X spats with several celebrities over her views and has donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, who helmed the campaign to have the legal definition of a woman defined by biological sex.
Rowling recently responded to the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling that trans women with gender certificates can be barred from single-sex areas.
In a post on X, she wrote: ‘It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. @ForWomenScot, I’m so proud to know you.’
She also posted a photograph of herself smoking a cigar, captioning the image: ‘I love it when a plan comes together’.
However, many people have criticised the ruling as ‘extreme discrimination’.
In the past, Essideu has been a steadfast advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, participating in projects such as I May Destroy You and Femme.
He has also regularly spoken about the importance of nuanced queer Black representation in TV and film.
Speaking in an interview with AnOther in 2021, he said: ‘It feels like we’re kind of moving towards an era where there are more opportunities for different types of stories to be told, or for different types of people to tell them.
‘But it needs us to consciously make an effort to platform those stories. That definitely plays into my mind when I’m thinking about what kind of projects to take on board.’
Previously, several major Hollywood stars have distanced themselves from the TV reboot of Harry Potter.
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan made her feelings clear about the HBO series, saying that she ‘wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole’.
Saturday Night Live comedian Bowen Yang has also spoken out against Rowling after the Supreme Court ruling.
Meanwhile, Chernobyl star Jared Harris – who is the son of original Albus Dumbledore actor Richard Harris – ruled himself out of appearing in the TV adaptation.
Jared was asked last year if he was interested in stepping into his father’s shoes, but he responded saying: ‘No, thank you.’
Speaking to The Independent, he also questioned the reasons behind the creation of the series: ‘Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic—leave them alone.’
The Harry Potter TV reboot will air on Max.
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