Bel Powley has faced backlash online after saying she ‘strongly disagrees’ with JK Rowling’s stance on the transgender community.
The 34-year-old who is set to play Aunt Petunia in the TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books, is the latest star of the TV show to distance herself from Rowling’s gender-critical views, after John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu.
The author of the wizarding series of books has mounted a sustained attack on the trans community in recent years, which has plagued announcements on the HBO adaptation of her books.
Cast members have been asked to answer for their decision to join the project, given that Rowling has become a prominent force in the trans-exclusionary radical feminist movement.
Powley told The Telegraph that she ‘strongly disagrees with Rowling’s views on gender’.
She said: ‘I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance. But, 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.’
Powley’s comments, however, have divided both Rowling’s supporters and detractors.
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‘Surely you wouldn’t take a role in something written by someone who you so fundamentally disagree with on a basic human right?’ @thedaleman999 asked on X.
‘Disagrees with JK Rowling but more than happy to take a pay cheque for a job based on her work,’ added @ThatRealPhil.
‘She should probably recuse herself then, no?’ wrote @SJDavies_Author.
Meanwhile @_miimikyu wrote: ‘I can’t forgive anyone who still puts money directly into JK Rowling’s pocket.’
@SweetVinesForU claimed: ‘ If you really cared about trans lives and the trans community, you wouldn’t star in any of JK Rowling’s s***.’
