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Harry Potter star Bel Powley has said she \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with JK Rowling\u2019s views on gender.<\/p>\n
The actress, 34, will portray Petunia Dursley in the upcoming HBO Max television adaptation of Rowling\u2019s books, which will premiere on December 25.<\/p>\n
Speaking to The Telegraph, Powley said: \u201cI strongly disagree with JK Rowling\u2019s views on gender.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rowling has stated she believes biological sex is real and immutable and has been critical of self-declared gender identity, calling it \u201cquasi-religious\u201d and \u201canti-science\u201d.<\/p>\n
She has denied being transphobic and previously said she respects \u201cevery trans person\u2019s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them\u201d.<\/p>\n
Powley added that, despite her disagreement with Rowling, she is a huge fan of the book series.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rowling\u2019s representatives have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n
Several cast members of the Harry Potter film series have expressed disagreement with Rowling\u2019s views, including Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, and Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione Granger.<\/p>\n
Radcliffe said he believes \u201ctrans women are women\u201d while Watson said: \u201cTrans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren\u2019t who they say they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other stars from the franchise have defended the author.<\/p>\n
Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed Lord Voldemort, criticised the online vitriol aimed at Rowling, saying: \u201cThe verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it\u2019s appalling.\u201d<\/p>\n