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Heartstopper star Sebastian Croft addresses backlash and issues apology over role in controversial Harry Potter game-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro
Croft will voice the game’s playable character.
Sebastian will be voicing the game’s playable character (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft has addressed the ongoing controversy over his role in upcoming Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy.
The 21-year-old faced backlash following the announcement that Croft will be voicing the game’s playable character.
Hogwarts Legacy, which is due to be released in February, is set a century before the Harry Potter novels by J K Rowling, however has faced criticism following Rowling’s comments about transgender people.
Addressing the issue, Croft took to Twitter to write: ‘I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with.
‘his was long before I was aware of JK Rowling’s views.
‘I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men.’
The actor continued: ‘I know far more now than I did 3 years ago, and hope to learn far more in the next 3.
‘I’m really sorry to anyone hurt by this announcement. There is no LGB without the T.’
His words come after several Harry Potter cast members including Harry Melling, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe slammed the writer and stood in solidarity with transgender people.
The author first came under fire for her choice of words in June 2020 after a string of tweets sparked controversy for their seemingly anti-trans tone.
Rowling’s comments sparked controversy for their seemingly anti-trans tone (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
After claiming she had researched the topic at length, she penned: ‘If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction.
‘If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.
‘I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.’
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Her post earned her the title of TERF at the time from disgruntled social media users, which stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
Rowling has since defended her name stating in an essay: ‘Accusations of TERFery have been sufficient to intimidate many people, institutions and organisations I once admired, who’re cowering before the tactics of the playground.’
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