All the Harry Potter cast who’ve spoken out against or supported JK Rowling’s trans views

Since 2020, JK Rowling has made her views on the rights of transgender people pretty well known. Despite the fact that Rowling denies being transphobic, her words and actions have been widely condemned by LGBTQ rights groups as anti trans. Amongst those who have criticised her have been major cast members of the Harry Potter franchise – including the three leads. After JK Rowling posted a shady tweet this week that many have interpreted as a dig at Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – here is a rundown of the Harry Potter cast who have spoken out about JK Rowling, both in support and against, regarding her vocal position on the rights of trans people.

The cast who have criticised JK Rowling

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe posted a statement saying “trans women are women” and that he was compelled to say something even as people called him out for how JK Rowling changed his life.

Radcliffe said “The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing Potter, I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that.” Rupert Grint and Emma Watson backed the statement publicly. Rupert Grint hasn’t been as vocal but has supported his casemates.

Radcliffe added that he hadn’t spoken to JK Rowling in years. “It makes me really sad, ultimately,” he said, “because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.

Emma Watson

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When JK Rowling published her five point essay on trans activism, Emma Watson said “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”

Alfred Enoch

Enoch, who played Dean Thomas in Harry Potter, has shown his support for the LGBTQ+ community and expressed his discomfort with some of Rowling’s comments, indicating that the franchise should be inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of gender identity.

Those that have supported Rowling

Ralph Fiennes

Fiennes has spoken in support of Rowling’s right to speak freely about her views on transgender issues. In a 2020 interview, he said he believed Rowling had been unfairly treated for her stance and suggested that people should respect her right to express herself. He acknowledged the controversy surrounding her statements but defended her as a “remarkable” writer and person.

Evanna Lynch

Lynch has expressed some understanding of Rowling’s views, though she also advocates for inclusivity and tolerance. She has publicly stated that she believes J.K. Rowling’s views are often misunderstood and that the way people engage in the discussion can be more constructive. She has emphasised the importance of dialogue and kindness.

Helena Bonham Carter

In an interview with The Sunday Times in 2020, Bonham Carter expressed her belief that Rowling had been “misunderstood” and criticized the backlash against the author. She acknowledged that some of Rowling’s views were controversial but suggested that people should be allowed to express their opinions. Bonham Carter emphasized that she thought Rowling was “not meaning to harm anyone” and that the situation had been mischaracterized in the media.

While she didn’t go into specifics about the details of Rowling’s views, Bonham Carter stood by her as a person and as an artist, describing her as a “remarkable woman.”

It’s important to note that Bonham Carter has also spoken about supporting the LGBTQ+ community in general, so her comments should be seen in the context of advocating for open conversation and mutual respect.

Most of the other Harry Potter cast members have not spoken out either way on whether they support JK Rowling and her current perspective on trans people.

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