J.K. Rowling reveals true extent of her role in new Harry Potter - as fans raise their biggest issue with the forthcoming HBO TV series
J.K. Rowling has revealed she did not write any of the scripts for the controversial new Harry Potter TV series, but claims she "worked closely" with the writers.
The upcoming HBO adaptation of the British author's seven-volume fantasy series into a long-form TV show is set to start filming in the UK in less than a month, with Dominic McLaughlin cast for the titular role.
Rowling took to X on Sunday to express her excitement after officially reviewing the scripts for the first two episodes.
"I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series, and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!" the 59-year-old wrote.
However, fans were quick to point out the author's admission meant she had not written the scripts herself despite being an executive producer.
"So you are not doing the writing for this show?" one bemused person commented.
Rowling responded to the fan by saying "no, but" she has "worked closely with the extremely talented writers" of the series.
Although the creator of the novels is one of the executive producers for the new show, she was not brought on as a full-time screenwriter.
Rowling still retains creative control over any exploitation of her work and has agreements in place with Warner Bros, which grant her some creative oversight and influence over the making of the long-form series.
Meanwhile, fans all turned their attention to actor Paapa Essiedu being cast as Severus Snape in the comments of Rowling's new post.
The Hogwarts professor, originally played by Alan Rickman in the films, is a pivotal character in the plot and is widely regarded as a beloved figure.
"Great news. Now, can we get a character-appropriate Snape casting please?" one fan wrote.
"Now just recast Snape, and it will be perfect!" another fan wrote.
"They'll be even better with a different actor playing Snape," one more person wrote.
Another person said the casting seems "too woke", and they'll wait and "see" whether they are a fan of the series.
HBO in April confirmed Essiedu would play Snape in the new Harry Potter, sparking discussion and some controversy among fans early on.
Essiedu will join a star-studded ensemble, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy in the awaited series revamp.
Alastair Stout has been cast as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger.
The latest backlash heaped on Essiedu comes after he joined the original Harry Potter stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, in expressing opposition to Rowling's views on transgender issues.
The actor was one of 400 signatories of an open letter addressed to the film and TV industry bodies in support of the trans community in April.
Nevertheless, HBO chief Casey Bloys last November said Rowling's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff.'
A spokesperson for the network said she "has a right to express her personal views" and the new series will "benefit from her involvement."
Rowling recently celebrated the ruling that only biological women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws in a landmark case.
She has previously mocked the phrase "people who menstruate", said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real", and called a list of trans women "men, every last one of them".
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