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Harry Potter star says JK Rowling’s trans views are ‘ironic’

Michael Gambon’s iconic moments as Dumbledore on Harry Potter set

John Lithgow, cast as Albus Dumbledore in the new HBO Harry Potter series, has described JK Rowling’s transgender rights views as “ironic and inexplicable”.
The 80-year-old actor expressed his upset at criticism for taking the role, revealing he considered stepping down after a friend with a trans daughter sent him an article urging him to walk away.
Lithgow stated that Rowling is “not really involved in this production at all” and highlighted that the Harry Potter stories are about “kindness versus cruelty” and “acceptance”.
Other cast members, including Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu, have also voiced opinions differing from Rowling's, with Essiedu signing a letter calling for industry action on trans rights.
Rowling responded to reports about Essiedu's involvement, stating she does not have the power to sack actors and would not do so for holding legally protected beliefs.