Daniel Rigby and Bel Powley as the Dursleys in HBO’s Harry Potter, and X image of JK Rowling
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Harry Potter star tries to separate JK Rowling from the franchise and people are fuming

'Don’t cash that check if you really disagree'

Daisy Phillipson
10th August 2026, 18:06
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Bel Powley, who’s playing Petunia Dursley in the upcoming HBO adaptation of Harry Potter, has given her views on the JK Rowling controversy, and her argument hasn’t gone down well.

The Harry Potter franchise has been at the centre of an ongoing debate ever since 2018, when the author and creator liked a tweet that referred to trans women as “men in dresses”. 

At the time, her representatives said the interaction was accidental, but months later the author began publicly sharing her views on trans issues and gender identity, even writing an essay where she said she was “worried about the new trans activism”.

In 2023, HBO announced it would be adapting Rowling’s Harry Potter book series for the small screen, with each season covering one novel. 

While a number of the adult cast members have distanced themselves from Rowling’s views, it’s estimated that she’ll still make tens of millions of pounds each year as an executive producer and the primary rights holder, which has reignited debate online. 

This week, Powley weighed in on the debate in a conversation with The Telegraph, commenting on whether she’s worried her career might be affected due to the association with the author. 

“I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance,” the actress replied. 

“But [she threw up her palms] I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.”

Her comments have sparked similar backlash to other cast members who have spoken against Rowling while continuing to work on the series. Many argue it’s impossible to separate the Harry Potter franchise from its creator when Rowling continues to profit from it.

“Bel’s still taking the paycheck generated from JK’s work though, isn’t she?” wrote on X user, while another said, “Shouldn’t have agreed to work for JKKK Rowling and become a sad part of her anti-rights crusade, then. We won’t soon forget.”

“Take a stand. Don’t cash that check if you really disagree,” added a third, and a fourth chimed in, “In other words: My morals can be bought.” A fifth commented, “It’s very funny that she said ‘but’ after that sentence.”

Among the few more positive comments, one person argued, “She can disagree with Rowling’s views and still love the books, that’s allowed.”

The same debate has followed almost every major casting announcement for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot, and with season one not even out yet, it’s not set to disappear anytime soon. 

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Featured image credit: HBO/X