Turning down HBO’s Harry Potter actually is *this* easy, so why are people still saying yes?

There is apparently a very simple way to avoid being caught up in the latest Harry Potter controversy: Just say no.

It sounds almost too easy, but director Ally Pankiw has demonstrated exactly how little drama is required to turn down the upcoming Harry Potter series.

Via HBO

Pankiw, who has previously directed shows including Feel Good and Black Mirror, shared screenshots on Thursday appearing to show a conversation between herself and a member of her team about whether she would be interested in directing an episode of HBO’s new adaptation.

“I have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask… Harry Potter? Hard no?” the person asked.

Pankiw’s alleged response was wonderfully straightforward: “Absolutely f**king not! Lol (But thank you for asking).”

Pankiw later summed up the reasoning behind her decision in the caption, writing: “It simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!”

The new Harry Potter series has been surrounded by questions about JK Rowling’s involvement since it was announced. Rowling is serving as an executive producer, despite becoming an increasingly divisive figure because of her public comments and views concerning transgender people.

I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/agOkWmhPgb

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025

This means that, for anyone who feels strongly about supporting trans people, there is a fairly obvious question to ask about being involved in the new series: Do you want to put your name, time and work behind it?

Apparently, for some people, the answer is yes.

That distinction has become even more obvious this week. Nicholas Hoult’s casting in season two was announced, and the actor has subsequently faced backlash from some fans over his decision to take part.

Meanwhile, the wider cast has repeatedly been asked about Rowling and her views. John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Bel Powley are among those already facing questions about the complicated reality of starring in a franchise whose creator remains heavily involved.

And this is where the Harry Potter conversation becomes uncomfortable for fans who have spent years defending their love of the series.

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Via HBO

Because yes, Harry Potter is nostalgic. It is childhood bedrooms and Christmas films and school holidays. It is rereading the books, arguing about your Hogwarts house and desperately wanting a wand from the Warner Bros studio tour.

Nobody is saying you have to suddenly pretend you never loved it. But nostalgia doesn’t make the wider situation disappear.

You can adore the books you grew up with and still recognise that working on a brand new adaptation, with Rowling involved, is a different decision from watching an old film you already own.

You can love Harry Potter and decide that you don’t want to give a new project your labour, publicity or money.

And, crucially, you can decide that supporting trans people matters more to you than getting the chance to work on one of the biggest franchises in the world. It really can be that simple.

Of course, people will argue that the actors and filmmakers involved are not necessarily endorsing everything Rowling has ever said. Some will have grown up loving the franchise themselves. Others will have spent years working towards the sort of opportunity that being part of Harry Potter represents.

Via HBO

But nobody is forcing them to say yes.

And if you believe that Rowling’s views are harmful to trans people, then it is perfectly reasonable to question why participating in a new Harry Potter project is worth overlooking that.

The point isn’t that everyone who watches the series is secretly transphobic. Nor is it that enjoying Harry Potter automatically makes someone a bad person. It’s that sometimes you can keep the nostalgia and leave the reboot behind.

And, as Pankiw has shown us, saying no is actually very easy.

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Featured image via HBO