David Tennant opens up about whether he would potentially return to the Harry Potter franchise, stating that a certain producer’s issues with him have likely reduced those chances. Having played major roles in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, Tennant is most recognizable for his portrayal of the Tenth Doctor and Fourteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Before joining the sci-fi series in 2005, however, Tennant made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr., who plays a major role in resurrecting the Dark Lord Voldemort.
As Tennant attended Comic Con Kansas City, discussion during his panel (captured by @Carolin37132118 on X) turned towards potential returns to his past franchises. When asked whether he would ever consider returning to the world of Harry Potter for the television reboot, Tennant states that he is certain that a specific but unnamed executive producer who is involved has issues with the actor, making a return unlikely. Check out Tennant’s full response below:
“I mean, they’re great stories, and I feel like my contribution has probably been made. I’m told there’s an executive producer that doesn’t love me on that show… I was told recently. The feeling is not mutual, but I have been informed. So, probably not.”
The Harry Potter Creator Has Become Known For Her Bigoted Views Online
With Tennant’s comments, it is not difficult to envision which producer he is referring to during the panel. Series creator J.K. Rowling, who is confirmed to be serving as an executive producer, has made her vocal opposition to transgender rights well-known since 2019, both through her own statements online and the targeting of several individuals who are either transgender or supportive of the community. This has led to several cast members, affiliated artists, and organizations calling her out and distancing themselves from her.
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In comparison, Tennant has been a vocal and supportive ally to the transgender community and overall efforts to support LGBTQ+ rights since 2008. Throughout many television appearances, he has donned T-shirts and pins that carried supportive messages for the LGBTQ+ community, and most notably used his time during an acceptance speech in 2024 to call out then-Womens and Equality Minister and current Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch on her continued harmful rhetoric and policies towards transgender and non-binary individuals, stating he wished she’d “shut up“. Despite receiving widespread support and praise, Tennant also earned Rowling’s ire through her X posts
Our Thoughts On Tennant’s Harry Potter Return Response
His Response Highlights Rowling’s Current Reputation
Tennant is hardly the first former Harry Potter actor to earn the dislike of Rowling after standing up for the trans community. Despite her intent, however, it is clear that Tennant is unphased by not being liked by the author, and remains a staunch ally to the trans and wider LGBTQ+ community. However, Tennant’s insight does highlight Rowling’s reputation, and the association with the Harry Potter show will have to contend with.
Source: Comic Con Kansas City via @Carolin37132118 /X)
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Richard Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Alfred Enoch, Harry Melling, Gary Oldman, Robert Pattinson, Warwick Davis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, David Bradley, David Thewlis, Katie Leung, Jason Isaacs, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Jamie Campbell Bower, Timothy Spall, Robbie Coltrane, Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Johnny Depp, Mads Mikkelsen
- Character(s)
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Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Dobby the House Elf, Draco Malfoy, Sirius Black, Ginny Weasley, Voldemort