John Lithgow responds to J.K. Rowling backlash after joining ‘Harry Potter' series: ‘Why is this a factor?'
John Lithgow isn't being intimidated by 'Harry Potter' fans.
The actor, 79, did an interview with The Times of London published Sunday where he addressed the backlash he's gotten for joining HBO's 'Harry Potter' TV series because of J.K. Rowling's anti-trans controversies.
Lithgow said he 'absolutely' didn't expect to get so much hate from the author's many critics.
10 John Lithgow at The Olivier Awards 2025 in London.
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10 J.K. Rowling at the 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' premiere in London in March 2022.
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'Of course, it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' Lithgow said. 'It's an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.'
10 Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Enterta
The 'Conclave' star revealed that before he signed onto the 'Harry Potter' show to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, 'a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child' sent him an open letter titled 'An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter.'
'That was the canary in the coalmine,' Lithgow said.
10 John Lithgow attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
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He added: 'I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' 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 accepts an award onstage during the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Hosts 2019 Ripple Of Hope Gala.
Getty Images for for Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Rowling's controversial comments about the transgender community have been met with backlash over the last few years. 'Harry Potter' movie stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson even spoke out to publicly disagree with her back in 2020.
Despite her views, Rowling is one of the executive producers of HBO's television adaptation of her famous book series.
HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed in November that Rowling has 'been fairly involved' in the making of the show, which is expected to debut on Max in 2026.
10 Rupert Grint, J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson at the 'Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone' premiere in 2001.
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10 Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint at the 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2' premiere in London in 2011.
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'She was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,' Bloys told reporters at a press event. 'I imagine she'll have opinions on casting. It hasn't affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff or anything, so we haven't felt any impact from that.'
10 J.K. Rowling signs 'Harry Potter' books in 1999.
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Lithgow confirmed his casting in the 'Harry Potter' series in February.
'It came as a total surprise to me,' he told Screen Rant. 'I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid.'
10 John Lithgow at The Olivier Awards 2025.
Max Cisotti/10 Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'
Murray Close
'I'm very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to 'Harry Potter,'' continued Lithgow. 'That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.'
Joining Lithgow in the show are Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
The actors playing Harry, Ron and Hermione have yet to be announced.
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