Everything Harry Potter Stars Have Said About J.K. Rowling's Stance on Trans Issues

Celebrity By TooFab Staff | 9/24/2025 9:30 AM PT

Getty

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has been embroiled in controversy over her stance on transgender issues in recent years, with many stars from the films speaking out in support of the trans community in the wake of her comments. Rowling has been labeled by some as a "TERF," or trans-exclusionary radical feminist, for her beliefs -- as she has sought to ban trans women from women-only spaces.

1 / 9

Keira Knightley -- who will take on the role of Professor Umbridge in Audible’s Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions -- claimed she was not aware of the backlash J.K. Rowling was facing due to her stance. She then told Decider, "You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we? And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect."

Getty

2 / 9

Nick Frost, who has been cast as Hagrid in HBO Max's upcoming Harry Potter series, faced criticism for joining the show due to Rowling's beliefs. When asked about the backlash in an interview with The Observer, he explained, "She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form." He also hoped that the criticisms could also result in more education about LGBTQ+ rights, saying, "Maybe it shouldn’t blow over? We shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves."

Getty

3 / 9

Paapa Essiedu has not directly addressed J.K. Rowlings views, but he did sign an open letter that supported trans rights in the entertainment industry after he was cast as Snape in the upcoming HBO Max series. The letter included statements such as, "We must now urgently work to ensure that our trans, non-binary, and intersex colleagues, collaborators and audiences are protected from discrimination and harassment in all areas of the industry." When asked, J.K. Rowling explained that she did not have the power or desire to eliminate Essiedu from the production because of his support.

Getty

4 / 9

John Lithgow, cast as Dumbledore in the HBO Max series, shared that he did not consider J.K. Rowling's views when accepting this role. He told the Times U.K., "I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?'" He also explained that he also hopes to speak to the author at some point. The overall thought on his mind around the production is its eight year commitment, and how it will be his career's "winding down role."

Getty

5 / 9

Tom Felton attempted to stay neutral when asked about the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling. At the 2025 Tony Awards, he told Variety, "I'm not really that attuned," when asked if her opinions impacted his decision to join the Harry Potter Broadway cast. He then praised Rowling, saying, "The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world -- here I am in New York -- and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful."

Getty

6 / 9

Daniel Radcliffe has been no-contact with J.K. Rowling since her initial 2020 comments. The Harry Potter actor has worked with The Trevor Project for over 13 years and, following the author's initial comments, wrote an essay entitled Trans Women are Women. He wrote, "I wanted to try and help people that had been negatively affected by the comments. And to say that if those are Jo’s views, then they are not the views of everybody associated with the Potter franchise." Radcliffe then told The Atlantic in 2024 that her opposition, "makes me really sad, ultimately."

Getty

7 / 9

While Emma Watson has never directly called out J.K. Rowling, she has made it known that she does not agree with the author's views. The actress tweeted in June 2020, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are." She followed up, writing, "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are," and "I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. ❤️"

Getty

8 / 9

Following J.K. Rowling's initial remarks, Rupert Grint released a statement expressing his support for the trans community: "I firmly stand with the trans community. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment." When asked about his relationship with the author in 2022, Grint told The Times, "I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie It’s a tricky one."

Getty

9 / 9

Eddie Redmayne, who starred in the Fantastic Beasts movies, released a statement to Variety in 2020 saying, "As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse." He however later said that the backlash she is "disgusting."

Getty

Everything Harry Potter Stars Have Said About J.K. Rowling's Stance on Trans Issues

Recent Photos

Kim Kardashian Sizzles in Cut-Out Dress for All's Fair Brazil Premiere

Brandy Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance with 23-Year-Old Daughter

Dream Kardashian Has Adorable Celebration for 9th Birthday

Kate Gosselin Goes Instagram Official with Boyfriend Steve

'A Different World' Ordered for Sequel Series at Netflix

Wicked: For Good Takes Over London -- See Cynthia, Ariana & More!