Veteran actor John Lithgow is defending his decision to star in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation amid renewed backlash tied to franchise creator J.K. Rowling’s public opposition to transgender rights.
Speaking at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Lithgow addressed criticism from fans and advocates who urged him to distance himself from the project because of Rowling’s continued association with the brand. Lithgow described Rowling’s views as “ironic and somewhat inexplicable,” noting that the Harry Potter stories have long been embraced for themes of empathy, acceptance, and standing up to injustice.
Lithgow emphasized that Rowling is not directly involved in the creative development of the HBO series, which is expected to span multiple seasons. “She’s not really involved in this production at all,” he said, pushing back against claims that participation in the show signals alignment with her rhetoric.
The actor acknowledged that the backlash has been difficult, saying that calls for him to step away from the role made him unhappy. However, he framed his decision as rooted in the values he believes the fictional world represents, rather than the political positions of its creator. According to Lithgow, the story remains a “meditation on kindness and acceptance,” values he believes still matter to audiences.
Rowling’s views on transgender people have sparked years of controversy, particularly after she publicly supported legal efforts and organizations that many LGBTQ advocates argue undermine transgender rights. Critics maintain that the continued financial success of the Harry Potter franchise benefits Rowling and amplifies her influence, regardless of her level of day-to-day creative involvement.
That concern has driven some fans to disengage entirely from the franchise, while others argue for reclaiming the stories apart from their creator. The upcoming HBO series has reignited that debate, especially as new cast announcements draw attention from both supporters and critics.
Lithgow’s past work includes roles connected to LGBTQ themes, including his Academy Award-nominated performance as a transgender woman in The World According to Garp. He suggested that his long career portraying complex and marginalized characters informs how he views the current cultural climate, which he described as increasingly hostile to empathy.
As HBO moves forward with plans for the series, which is expected to debut later this decade, discussion continues around where audiences draw the line between art, artist, and accountability. For many transgender viewers, the question is not just about one actor or one role, but about whether beloved cultural touchstones can be separated from real-world harm.
The controversy surrounding the new Harry Potter adaptation underscores how deeply intertwined entertainment, politics, and identity have become, particularly for communities that continue to face heightened scrutiny and discrimination.
