John Lithgow remains unfazed by apprehensions regarding his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s imminent Harry Potter series, disregarding the anti-trans sentiments expressed by J.K. Rowling, who holds an executive producer role on the project.
In an interview with The Times, John Lithgow mentioned that he has been advised by friends and fans to decline the role due to J.K. Rowling’s controversial statements. A friend even sent him a link to an article titled “An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Leave Harry Potter.” Before accepting the part, he also received a message from a close friend who is a mother of a transgender child, which served as a warning sign for him.
As a gamer, when asked if I anticipated the feedback, I’d say: “Nope, not at all. You see, it was a significant choice because it might be one of my last major roles. It’s an eight-year commitment, and as I pondered about the passage of time, I realized this could serve as a graceful exit role.
He went on to say: “I found myself questioning, what’s the relevance here? I’m intrigued as to how J.K. Rowling has integrated this. At some stage, I’ll likely encounter her, and I’m eager to discuss it with her.
Asked if the criticism had discouraged him, he replied: “Oh, heavens no.”
Lithgow expressed his primary worry revolved around whether the Harry Potter enthusiasts would be open to a U.S. actor taking on the role of Dumbledore, who is originally from Britain.
He expressed his bewilderment over the intense backlash regarding this matter, yet he noticed no similar criticism when he took on the role of author Roald Dahl in the West End play “Giant,” a character for whom Dahl’s family has publicly apologized for his past antisemitism.
I was thrilled when they asked me to portray Dahl, and there weren’t any complaints. But what’s peculiar is the influx of messages I’ve gotten regarding J.K. Rowling. Isn’t it strange?” (as a fan)
When it was revealed in April 2023 that the Harry Potter series would be released, there was an instant response, primarily anger and controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s participation.
Back when J.K.’s input was mentioned, Casey Bloys, head of HBO and Max content, expressed that it would be beneficial due to her expertise. He stated, ‘We’ve been in the world of Harry Potter for 20 years now, so this isn’t a fresh decision. We feel at ease being part of the Harry Potter universe.’ Regarding the intricate online discussions surrounding J.K., Casey added, ‘It’s complex and nuanced, and we won’t delve into it. Our main focus is the content on-screen.’ The narrative of Harry Potter promotes love and acceptance strongly, and that’s our primary concern for what we present to our audience.
J.K. Rowling has expressed various opinions regarding transgender women specifically, including her recent support for a UK court ruling that classifies women as individuals born biologically female. Additionally, she has advocated against the participation of transgender athletes in sports primarily designed for females.
Celebrities including John Oliver and Pedro Pascal have criticized Rowling for her comments.
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2025-04-28 06:54