
John Lithgow on JK Rowling's trans stance backlash: 'She's handled it fairly gracefully'
Why you can trust Sky News
John Lithgow is a man well aware of cancel culture and its ability to destroy careers in the blink of an eye.
The Oscar-nominated actor tells Sky News: "It is terrible to be so careful about what you say. Even in an interview like this. It goes into the world, and you can get misconstrued and misrepresented and cancelled in [the click of a finger]."
It's a theme that runs parallel with his latest work - the stage show Giant - which through the lens of one explosive day in children's author Roald Dahl 's life, poses the question, should we look for moral purity in our artists?
The writer of great works including The Witches, Matilda and The BFG, Dahl revolutionised children's literature with his irreverent approach, inspiring generations of readers and selling hundreds of millions worldwide. But his legacy is conflicted.
Lithgow describes Dahl as "a man with great charm, great wit and literary talent. A man who really cared about children and loved them. But a man who carried a lot of demons."
Specifically, the play - which explores Palestinian rights versus antisemitism - deals with the fallout from controversial comments the children's author made over the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Its themes couldn't be more timely.
Lithgow explains: "Things are said in the play that nobody dares to say out loud… But God knows this is a complicated and contradictory issue."
'It didn't start as an idea about Roald Dahl at all'
So controversial are some of the play's themes, the 79-year-old star admits his own son warned him: "Prepare yourself. There'll be demonstrations in Sloane Square outside the Royal Court Theatre."
Indeed, the play's first run carried an audience warning flagging "antisemitic language; graphic descriptions of violence; emotional discussion of themes including conflict in the Middle East, Israel and Palestine; and strong language".
But it didn't put audiences off. Following a sold-out run at the Royal Court, the role won Lithgow an Olivier. Now, it's transferring to London's West End.
The play was written by Mark Rosenblatt, a seasoned theatre director but debut playwright.
He tells Sky News: "It didn't start as an idea about Roald Dahl at all. It was about the blurring of meaningful political discourse with racism, specifically when, in 2018, the inquiry into antisemitism in the Labour Party started to come out."
Rosenblatt describes Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts as the "wallpaper" of his childhood, and says he had no desire to "smash the Roald Dahl pinata".
But despite the fond recollections, he was conflicted: "Understanding that [Dahl] also, possibly, didn't like someone like me because I'm Jewish felt complicated." It was Rosenblatt's exploration of "how you hold those two things at the same time" that led to Dahl becoming the play's focus.
'He's not cancelled in our home'
Rosenblatt describes him as "a complex man, capable of great compassion, great passionate defence of oppressed people, and also incapable of enormous cruelty and manipulation. He was many things at once".
And as for Dahl's place in his life now? Rosenblatt says: "I still read his books to my kids. He's certainly not cancelled in our home."
It's likely that Dahl's comments, if uttered today, would lead to swift social media condemnation, but writing in a pre-social media age, the judgment over his words came at a much slower pace.
Dahl died in 1990, and his family later apologised for antisemitic remarks he made during his lifetime. But the debate of whether art can be separated from the artist is still very much alive today.
Earlier this month, Lithgow found himself drawn into a different row over artists and their opinions - this time concerning author JK Rowling.
'A matter of nuance'
Soon to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV series, he has been criticised by some fans for working with the author known for her gender critical beliefs.
Lithgow told Sky News: "It's a question I'm getting asked constantly. I suppose I should get used to that, but JK Rowling has created an amazing canon of books for kids…
"I have my own feelings on this subject. But I'm certainly not going to hesitate to speak about it. Just because I may disagree... It's a matter of nuance… I think she's handled it fairly gracefully."
The actor ignored calls not to take the role.
He goes on: "Honestly, I'd rather be involved in this than not. And if I'm going to speak on this subject, I'm speaking from inside this project and very much a partner with JK Rowling on it."
Demanding an eight-year commitment and a move to the UK for the part, the stakes are high.
And with a legion of Harry Potter fans watching on from the wings, only time will tell if the Lithgow-Rowling partnership will prove a magical one.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Nepo-baby daughter of A-list actress and Hollywood director wows at exhibition – can you guess her famous parents?
She has appeared in some of her father's films GUESS WHO? Nepo-baby daughter of A-list actress and Hollywood director wows at exhibition – can you guess her famous parents? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS nepo-baby looked incredible as she appeared at an exhibition in London last night. And it's no surprise, as the actress has grown up with very famous Hollywood parents. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 This nepo-baby looked incredible as she appeared at an exhibition in London last night Credit: Splash 5 She has very famous Hollywood parents Credit: Splash 5 Nell pictured beside her famous mother Credit: Getty The 17-year-old was snapped in London at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Party. And she looked absolutely stunning as she posed in a sweet pink dress beside her famous mother. But can you guess who she is? Or who her famous parents are? The young lady in question is Nell Burton, the daughter of Hollywood director Tim Burton and A-list star Helena Bonham Carter. Nell made her first movie appearance as a toddler, as a Baby at Dock in the movie 'Alice in Wonderland', directed by her father Tim. Her mother, Helena, played the Red Queen, starring opposite Johnny Depp as a Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Nell was then seen as a Little Girl at the Train Station in the 2012 fantasy comedy 'Dark Shadows'. She also made an appearance as Girl at Park in the biographical drama 'Big Eyes', about the life of the painter Margaret Keane. And she appeared as Unnamed classmate in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Tim and Helena met for the first time when he cast her to play in his 2001 movie 'Planet of the Apes', during which the two began their relationship. The Crown star Helena Bonham Carter says 'it's our duty' to tell viewers it's fiction Sweeney Todd actress Helena, 59, and Tim, 66, went on to have an unconventional marriage. The couple famously lived together in adjoining houses in Belsize Park, North London, before knocking them together. They had two children Billy, 22, and Nell, 17, but split in 2014. They remained friends after the split with Helena branding the director 'very generous'. She said at the time: 'You go through massive grief — it is a death of a relationship, so it's utterly bewildering. 'Your identity, everything, changes. 'Luckily I've kept both houses. He was very generous.' Helena is now with writer and academic Rye Dag Holmboe, who at 37 is 22 years her junior. And Tim is with Bond girl and model Monica Bellucci, 66, who presented him with a lifetime achievement award at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon in 2022. Nell's older brother has also made appearances in several of their father's movies. 5 Both children have made appearances in their father's films Credit: Getty


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
William 'scolded' at huge royal event by unimpressed Queen's telling off
During the Trooping the Colour celebrations in 2016, Prince William was told off by the Queen for a break in royal etiquette on the Buckingham Palace balcony Trooping the Colour is just around the corner, with Buckingham Palace and the R oyal Family preparing to celebrate the King's official birthday. During the event, which is a landmark event in the royal calendar, the family join together on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony to marvel in the Royal Air Force flypast. While this part of the day's celebration is often the most memorable, it is not always smooth sailing for the royals. Several years ago, back in 2016, one member of the royal family was 'scolded' by the late Queenfor an unexpected reason. Prince William seemed to irk his late grandmother while standing on the balcony during the flypast, earning him a stern word from the monarch. As Princess Charlotte, who was making her Trooping the Colour debut just after her first birthday, was being held by Kate, young Prince George was being looked after by William. Standing at the front of the balcony, George - who was just three years old at the time - peered over the ledge to wave to the thousands of people gathered around the Palace. As William crouched down to speak to his young son and explain the flypast, he was temporarily out of sight from the huge crowd of onlookers. The Queen was clearly unimpressed that the crowds would not have been able to see him, Her Majesty appeared to berate her grandson by saying: "stand up William. Don't crouch." Of course, the prince did as he was told and rose immediately, looking rather sheepish. The telling off during the fly past was not the first occasion the monarch has put her foot down with her grandson, as William explained in a Sky News documentary to mark the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016. At the time, the Prince of Wales spoke candidly about an incident in his childhood that landed him in hot water with his grandmother, as he and his cousin Peter Philips were caught misbehaving while riding a quad bike at Balmoral. He said: 'We were chasing Zara around who was on a go-kart, and Peter and I managed to herd Zara into a lamppost and the lamppost came down and nearly squashed her.' 'I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral running across the lawn in her kilt. She came charging over and gave us the most almighty b******ing, and that sort of stuck in my mind from that moment on.' As heir to the throne, William made his Trooping the Colour balcony debut before his first birthday in 1984. In 2011, newly married William took part in his first Trooping the Colour parade and rode on horseback, which he is expected to do again this year. The Trooping the Colour event, which takes place every year in June, has been held to mark the sovereign's official birthday since the accession of King George IV in 1820, except during the world wars and a national strike in 1955. In 2020, a scaled-back version of the celebration was held at Windsor Castle due to the Covid pandemic. Trooping the Colour 2025, officially known as The King's Birthday Parade, will take place on Saturday June 14, in London.


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
MTV host Amanda Lewis dead age 53 after breast cancer battle
She leaves behind a 14-year-old son. Amanda Lewis has passed away at the age of 52. The television host, best known for her MTV stint in the late 1990s, lost her life following her battle with breast cancer. She was a popular host during the network's"veejay" era and sadly passed away yesterday, Wednesday June 11, 2025. In October 2020, Ananda announced to fans that she'd been privately battling Stage 3 breast cancer for two years. She also told how she'd avoided getting regular mammograms due to her fear of radiation exposure. During a 2024 interview she revealed that her breast cancer had reached Stage 4 after previously declining to undergo a mastectomy for treatment. Ananda's sister Lakshmi has now confirmed the sad news of her sister's passing on Facebook in an emotional message, The Mirror reports. She wrote of Ananda, "She's free and in His heavenly arms [heart emojis]. Lord, rest her soul [prayer hands emoji]." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Lakshmi confirmed that her sister died at her home in Los Angeles at 11:35am and that she was in hospice care at the time of her death. Lakshimi also revealed that Ananda's 14-year-old son was graduating middle school the same day as her passing. TMZ reported that made the day very bittersweet. She shares the teen boy, her only child, with husband Harry Smith, 54, who is the younger brother of Oscar-winning actor Will Smith, 56. Many are mourning Ananda's untimely death on social media, especially on X, formerly Twitter. One wrote on the platform X: "Omg Rip to the beautiful #AnandaLewis her sister confirmed the news. "If you're a 90s/early 2000s baby, then you definitely wanted to be her, at some point! The real 'It girl'! She just had it!Phuck cancer! Sending love to every person that loved her. Get your rest beauty." Another wrote on X: " Ananda Lewis was so iconic. Sleep peacefully angel," a third penned: "Ananda Lewis was one of the quintessential 90's baddies RIP." As a fixture on MTV in the late 1990s, Ananda hosted hit shows like Total Request Live, Hot Zone and Spring Break. But she left her MTV role in 2001 and began hosting her very own daytime TV talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, which ran for two seasons. She earned two NAACP Image Awards during her career and was once deemed the 'the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl' by The New York Times. Lakshmi said that a memorial would be held 'in a few weeks' and that celebrities who Ananda previously interview have already expressed interest in paying tribute to her at the upcoming service.