New Harry Potter Star John Lithgow Confronts J.Okay. Rowling Controversy After Casting Backlash

After going through backlash for becoming a member of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter tv collection, John Lithgow is confronting the controversy head-on.

Lithgow is without doubt one of the main actors in HBO’s Harry Potter forged as he performs the position of Albus Dumbledore that was carried out by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon within the motion pictures. The controversy is because of J.Okay. Rowling’s transphobic statements and actions lately, resulting in many followers criticizing Lithgow and the opposite actors who’ve signed onto the present. In April 2025, he addressed the Harry Potter casting backlash, revealing that “an excellent buddy who’s the mom of a trans youngster” knowledgeable him of an open letter urging him to stop. He shared, “That was the canary within the coal mine,” however replied, “Oh, heavens no,” about whether or not he would depart the position.

Practically a 12 months later, Lithgow remains to be set to play Dumbledore, however he takes a firmer stance on the Rowling controversy. Per Selection, whereas selling his film Jimpa on the Rotterdam Movie Pageant, Lithgow asserted that he takes the Harry Potter creator’s transphobia “very significantly” and described her views as “ironic and inexplicable.” Learn his feedback beneath:

I take the topic extraordinarily significantly. She has created this wonderful canon for younger individuals and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I discover her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve by no means met her, she’s probably not concerned on this manufacturing in any respect. However the people who find themselves, are exceptional.

It upsets me when persons are against me having something to do with this. However in “Potter” canon you see no hint of transphobic sensitivity. She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a lovely position.

It was a tough choice. It made me uncomfortable and sad that individuals insisted I stroll away from the job. I selected not to try this.

Lithgow acknowledged that “I’m completely prepared for collisions of opinion. I perceive it.” He additionally joked in regards to the long-term dedication to enjoying Dumbledore on the age of 80 years outdated: “I’m the oldest particular person on this complete room, simply turned 80. And but I signed a contract – I can be enjoying Dumbledore for the subsequent eight years! I completely must hold at it. I felt: ‘Wow! Meaning I’ll reside to be 88.’ I’ve that in writing.”

His feedback emphasize that he’s now much more conscious of why Rowling has develop into so controversial, and he doesn’t assist any of her stances on transgender points. This has not deterred him from the position, although, as he nonetheless believes in bringing to life the values of the Harry Potter books, which he sees as antithetical to Rowling’s transphobia. As indicated by one viewers member on the occasion for Jimpa, who walked out in protest and stated, “Issues like these don’t assist,” some viewers nonetheless have an issue with Lithgow’s choice, no matter his new remarks.

Along with Lithgow, the forged of characters within the HBO collection options Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Warwick Davis is the one actor up to now to be enjoying the identical position from the films, the place he additionally portrayed Filius Flitwick. Paul Whitehouse will play Argus Filch after being forged as Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, though his scenes had been minimize from the completed movie.

As for when Harry Potter season 1 will premiere, HBO govt Casey Bloys gave a launch window of 2027. He estimates that will probably be prepared by early 2027, however says HBO shouldn’t be but able to specify the precise launch month.