J.K. Rowling gives an honest opinion about upcoming ‘Harry Potter' series
J.K. Rowling is raving about the upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series.
'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' the 59-year-old author wrote on X on Saturday.
In a separate tweet, Rowling responded to a fan asking if she's writing on the show.
'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers,' Rowling replied.
10 J.K. Rowling at the 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' premiere in London in 2018.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
10 J.K. Rowling with one of her 'Harry Potter' books Edinburgh, Scotland in 2005.
Getty Images
The 'Harry Potter' series is expected to premiere in 2026 or 2027 on HBO Max, with each season following one of Rowling's seven books.
The confirmed cast members include Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and more.
10 Actors Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout will star in the 'Harry Potter' series.
AP
10 Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.'
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co
Rowling is serving as an executive producer on the show, which has sparked backlash from fans due to her controversial views on the transgender community.
'She's been fairly involved — she was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,' HBO CEO Casey Bloys told reporters in November.
But Bloys has since insisted that the series won't be 'secretly infused' with Rowling's anti-transgender views.
10 J.K. Rowling in a selfie.
jK Rowling/Twitter
'The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years,' the exec explained on Matthew Belloni's 'The Town' podcast in April.
''Harry Potter' is not being secretly infused with anything,' Bloys added. 'I think it's pretty clear that those are her personal political views. She's entitled to them.'
'And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter,' he also stated.
10 Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.'
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
John Lithgow, who is playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming show, has found himself being dragged into the controversy surrounding Rowling's views.
The 79-year-old actor the Times of London in April that he didn't expect to face backlash for agreeing to take on the role.
10 John Lithgow at The Olivier Awards 2025 in London.
WireImage
'I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?'' said Lithgow. 'I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her.'
When asked if the backlash has made him reconsider joining the cast, Lithgow replied, 'Oh, heavens no.'
10 J.K. Rowling at Kings Cross Station in central London in 2001.
REUTERS
Earlier this year, Rowling celebrated the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' refer strictly to a biological woman and biological sex. In response, over 400 actors — including Essiedu — signed an open letter that called for the entertainment industry to protect the trans community.
Rowling later took to social media to say she wouldn't fire Essiedu from the 'Harry Potter' series despite their different views.
10 Paapa Essiedu attends The Olivier Awards 2025 in London.
Max Cisotti/10 J.K. Rowling celebrates a UK Supreme Court ruling about trans rights.
jk_rowling/X
'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did,' she wrote on X.
'I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine,' Rowling added.
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