J.K. Rowling, the British author of the Harry Potter series, has criticized the lead actors from the films, claiming they ruined the movies.
According to the UK Telegraph, on Wednesday, Rowling was asked on X, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?” In response, she said, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.”
Her phrasing was widely interpreted as referencing the three main members of the Harry Potter film series: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
In 2020, Rowling sparked controversy within the transgender community when she advocated for maintaining the concept of biological sex, male and female.
She had criticized a brand for referring to women as people who menstruate, asserting her stance in support of women based on their biological sex.
In response, transgender communities criticized her for ignoring the concept of gender identity and for being dismissive of non-binary and transgender people.
The lead actors of the Harry Potter films — Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint — joined in the public criticism of Rowling’s statements at the time.
Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter, said that transgender women are women, and that any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender individuals. He also stated, “To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.”
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, stated, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they are.”
Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley, issued a statement expressing support for the trans community, affirming that “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
Rowling has continued to express public opposition to recognizing transgender women as women and has made it clear that she does not forgive the actors for their remarks.
Last November, Rowling again appeared to aim at Radcliffe and Watson in a post on X, accusing celebrities of supporting movements that, in her view, undermine hard-won women’s rights and endorse gender transition for minors.
