Harry Potter fans ‘incredibly disappointed’ after HBO says JK Rowling has right to ‘personal views’-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

HBO has come under fire for its support of JK Rowling (Picture: Getty / Rex)

HBO has faced backlash after telling fans JK Rowling has a right to her ‘personal views’ after confirming her involvement in the Harry Potter series.

The new TV series, from showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod – will re-adapt the bestselling children’s fantasy franhcise with a fresh new cast.

It has sparked plenty of discourse from whether a new show is actually necessary to who may be involved in the cast.

It has also been at the centre of controversy due to the author of the source material, Rowling, who has been denounced by many fans for her vocal opinions in support of women’s rights – which some regard as targeting the transgender community.

The 59-year-old writer has been accused of trans-exclusionary remarks. She strongly denies being transphobic.

Earlier this year Olympic female boxer Imane Khelif’s attorney included her in a ‘cyber-harassment’ lawsuit after Rowling accused Khelif of having ‘the smirk of a male who knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment.’

JK Rowling is regularly making headlines for her posts about the trans community (Picture: Getty)

Elsewhere, she has called trans women ‘crossdressing straight men’ and accused the community of ‘caricaturing women’.

Her persistent views over the past five years have been slammed by fansite MuggleNet and charities such as Mermaids.

And former Harry Potter stars such as Emma Watson have publicly stated their support for trans people while Daniel Radcliffe admitted Rowling makes him ‘really sad’ now.

As such, many are not only against the upcoming Harry Potter series but also Rowling’s inclusion. But production company HBO has made its stance clear.

A spokesperson for the network told Variety: ‘[Warner Bros has] been working with J.K. Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years’and called her contribution ‘invaluable.’

The statement continued: ‘We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.

‘JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.’

It comes after HBO chief Casey Bloys said at a press event earlier this month that she was ‘very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director’.

HBO chairman Casey Bloys, as well as a spokesperson for the company, have reiterated the stance (Picture: FilmMagic)

Francesca Gardiner will be the showrunner for the Harry Potter TV remake (Picture: Getty)

He added her views haven’t ‘affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff’, per Variety.

HBO’s stance has severley disappointed fans online who have made their discontent clear online.

‘*HBO stands by greed and money on the wrong side of history’ @DavidOpie wrote on X.

‘Shame on HBO Pure and utter shame on them!’ @furgieofficial added.

‘American TV and films are going to become even more conservative and right-wing than they already are. This is why investing money and time into independent creatives and their stories is vital to the survival of art,’ @carriecnh12 shared.

‘This is incredibly disappointing on the part of HBO. J.K. Rowling’s views actively target members of the LGBTQ community, her stating that they do not have the right to exist.

‘It’s an evil, hateful “personal view” and disgusting that a major corporation would defend that.’ @intinavia agreed.

Fans were especially upset considering HBO’s other major series, House of the Dragon, features non-binary actor Emma D’Arcy as one of its leads.

‘Then you’re surprised why hbo pushes non-binary actor emma d’arcy to the background and categorically refuses to promote them as the main lead of the show,’ @firstofhernnme criticised.

There has been plenty of backlash online (PIcture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)

‘While Emma D’Arcy a nonbinary actor is one of the main leads in one of the most popular shows on hbo and they still pull this crap,’ @rvgsdelight echoed.’

Earlier in November, social media users turned on Rowling once again after she aimed a joke Doctor Who star David Tennant after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s election.

Tennant and Badenoch had locked horns a few months earlier when the actor told her to ‘shut up’ while collection an LGBT ally award following her support of the pledge to protect single sex spaces in the Equality Act.

Following the MP’s victory, Rowling tweeted: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time’.

Her comment was slammed as ‘not a good look’ by fans.

Metro has reached out to HBO for comment.

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