The Harry Potter universe remains one of the most enduring and recognizable franchises in pop culture. With over 600 million books sold and more than $7.7 billion grossed from the eight films, its legacy is nothing short of massive.
But in recent years, the conversations surrounding the Wizarding World have shifted from magical creatures and Quidditch to more serious, real-world issues, most of which center around the series’ creator.
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A new Harry Potter television series is in production and set to debut on HBO Max in 2027. While many longtime fans are excited to see the books adapted more faithfully for television, others are less enthusiastic due to the continued involvement of J.K. Rowling, who has become one of the most controversial figures in modern media.
Rowling’s outspoken views on transgender rights and gender identity have drawn intense criticism over the past several years. She has repeatedly argued that transgender women are not women and has gone so far as to celebrate and financially support anti-transgender legislation in the UK.
These views have caused a major divide between the author and much of the original Harry Potter cast.
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Multiple stars from the franchise have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Bonnie Wright. Katie Leung, Chris Rankin, Eddie Redmayne, David Tennant, and Harry Melling have also expressed disapproval. Actor Pedro Pascal even called Rowling a “heinous loser” in response to her remarks.
Only a few actors have chosen to remain neutral, including Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs. But now, yet another Wizarding World alum is stepping forward—not to support Rowling, but to respond with a softer, yet still pointed, critique.
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Actress Miriam Margolyes, who portrayed Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, appeared on the Gay Old Times podcast where she addressed the controversy and shared her thoughts on Rowling’s stance.
Margolyes, who is openly gay and known for her candid, often humorous interviews, didn’t hold back her feelings on the matter.
“I donʼt agree with her about the trans issue – I think her opinion is too harsh. Itʼs not good to be so furious. We should be gentler with each other. Weʼre all oppressed by sections of the community. Letʼs just be kinder. I really just feel supportive about this tiny group of people who are trans, and if they want me to use pronouns, I think itʼs the right thing to do. If you can make people happy, do it.”
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Though her language is less intense than that of other cast members, Margolyes made it clear that she doesn’t align with Rowling’s beliefs. She has previously commented on the growing rift between Rowling and the film’s stars, noting that while she believes some anger may be overblown, Rowling shouldn’t expect unwavering loyalty from actors who simply worked on her films.
In earlier interviews, Margolyes acknowledged the pain caused by Rowling’s rhetoric and expressed confusion over why some people choose to be so hostile toward the trans community. “Why are people so nasty?” she asked. “There are so few trans people. And I just think people should be allowed to get on and be who they are, or be who they want to be, without all this nastiness.”
Despite the wave of criticism, Rowling has not backed down. She continues to be vocal on social media and remains firm in her views, frequently aligning herself with legislation and causes that many deem harmful to transgender individuals. That hasn’t stopped HBO from keeping her involved in the reboot—she is set to serve as an executive producer on the upcoming series, a move that has fueled boycotts and backlash from fans.
Margolyes’ recent comments add to a growing chorus of Harry Potter alumni who have spoken out against Rowling’s views. While some do so with anger or frustration, others, like Margolyes, advocate for kindness, compassion, and open dialogue instead.
Do you agree with Miriam Margolyes’ approach? Join the conversation in the comments and let us know what you think.
