Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has remained mired in controversy for years now, and another star of the film franchise has now come forward to publicly stand with the author. Based on Rowling’s novels, the Harry Potter film franchise began in 2001 and now includes 8 films in the mainline franchise and three spinoffs. Despite the continued success of the franchise, Rowling became embroiled in controversy several years ago when she started expressing views that many have since deemed transphobic.
Following the recent announcement of the Harry Potter reboot TV show at Max, the controversy surrounding Rowling has been renewed, and Horace Slughorn actor Jim Broadbent has now voiced his support for the author in a recent interview with The Telegraph (via Variety). Broadbent was first introduced as Professor Slughorn in 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and he would reprise the role for 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Check out Broadbent’s full comment below:
“It’s really sad. I think J.K. Rowling is amazing. I haven’t had to confront [the backlash] myself, but I would support her in that, I think, if it came to it.”
What Other Harry Potter Stars Have Said About J.K. Rowling
While many of the reactions to the Harry Potter TV show online were negative in large part due to Rowling’s involvement in it, it’s important to note that Rowling also has a large number of supporters. Like the Harry Potter fanbase, the cast of the films, as well, is divided in terms of who supports Rowling and who doesn’t. Following Rowling’s controversial comments in 2020, stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) were among the first to publicly speak out against the author, expressing their support for the transgender community.
Other supporting actors, including Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley), and Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander) have also either voiced support for the transgender community or spoken out against Rowling. Conversely, stars like Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort), and the late Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) all voiced their support for Rowling, taking issue with the backlash against her online.
There are also several Harry Potter stars who have expressed more nuanced views regarding Rowling. Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), previously spoke out in support of the transgender community but has also expressed that Rowling’s views aren’t as black and white as they are often portrayed. Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), similarly, has expressed that he has “complicated” feelings about Rowling, and, while his views differ from hers in many areas, she’s also done a lot of positive charity work.
Source: The Telegraph (via Variety)
