'Harry Potter' Star John Lithgow Can't Understand All The J.K. Rowling Backlash
John Lithgow admitted facing backlash from J.K. Rowling's critics after he joined HBO's upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series was not on his bingo card.
In a new interview with the Times of London, the actor revealed that he 'absolutely' didn't foresee the mounting criticisms aimed at him on social media, stemming from Rowling's many anti-trans controversies.
'It was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' said the 79-year-old actor, who is set to portray Albus Dumbledore in the show based on Rowling's 'Harry Potter' books. 'It's an eight-year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.'
Lithgow said he was first made aware of the disapproval surrounding Rowling after he received a text from 'a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child.'
'That was the canary in the coalmine,' he declared.
The message, according to the actor, contained a link to an op-ed titled 'An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter.' The piece accused Rowling of being 'anti-trans' and slammed her for having 'attacked trans kids directly.'
Over the years, Rowling has come under fire for posting anti-trans rhetoric and publicly supporting anti-trans legislation. Her comments have drawn outrage from fans of the fantasy series, trans activists and Hollywood stars, including 'Harry Potter' alum Emma Watson and Pedro Pascal.
When questioned whether the disapproval of Rowling made him think twice about taking on the role, Lithgow replied: 'Oh, heavens no.'
In fact, Lithgow told the Times of London that he questioned, 'Why this is a factor at all' in the grand scheme of things.
'I thought, why is this a factor at all? I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,' he said of the uproar over the best-selling author. 'I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her and I'm curious to talk to her.'
Elsewhere in the interview, Lithgow explained the irony that he is now be tied to controversial figures like Rowling and British author Roald Dahl, whom he currently stars as in a West End production of 'Giant,' at this 'moment in my life.'
Dahl faced criticism before his death in 1990 for making antisemtic statements and using racist tropes and language in some of his novels.
'It's so interesting to me at this moment in my life, when I've always loved entertaining kids, that I should be engaged with these writers — J.K. Rowling and Roald Dahl — who are geniuses at entertaining kids but have had crises among adults,' Lithgow said.
The forthcoming 'Harry Potter' series was first confirmed in 2023. The show comes more than a decade after 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' was released in theaters, wrapping up the titular hero's journey on the big screen. The series is expected to air in 2026 or 2027.
'Bridgerton' Star Nicola Coughlan Calls Out J.K. Rowling For Celebrating Anti-Trans Court Ruling
HBO Reveals J.K. Rowling's Participation In Upcoming 'Harry Potter' Series
HBO Baffles Fans With 'Harry Potter' Reboot Series, Defense Of J.K. Rowling's Role
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
23 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: At Tribune Opinion, no robots need apply
Fears that humans are failing to control their Frankenstein-like creation known broadly as artificial intelligence are escalating. The exasperating HBO movie 'The Mountainhead' imagines amoral tech bros chortling like fraternity brothers and sparring like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, even as their creations torch the world's democracies by spewing fake news. A provocative world premiere, 'Black Bone,' at Chicago's Defiant Theatre features Black intellectuals worrying about whether AI will allow white people more easily to pose as Black to gain some perceived benefits in academe. Those stories are fiction. But a piece in The Wall Street Journal this week by Judd Rosenblatt was fact. The headline told you much of what you needed to know: 'AI Is Learning to Escape Human Control,' before detailing how artificial intelligence models are now capable, a la the Cylons of 'Battlestar Galactica,' of rewriting their own code to avoid being shut down. The reason? The models have figured out that shutting down gets in the way of performing their next task. What could possibly go wrong? All of that made us surprised that our opposite numbers at The Washington Post reportedly are going to encourage 'nonprofessionals' to submit opinion pieces with help from an AI writing coach called, believe it or not, Ember (an apt name, to our minds). Human editors apparently will review the work (for now, anyway) and the thinking at the Post seems to be that if you encourage writers to forge their work with the help of artificial intelligence, you expand the range of who will create content for you. Well, that's not happening in the Chicago Tribune's Opinion sections. All of our editorials are penned entirely by humans, which surely accounts for their imperfections, and also edited by humans, ditto. But we will not have it any other way. The same is true of the submissions you can read in our Opinion section. We've not noticed our talented writers and contributors needing any help from an AI model and, should they be indulging in such assistance without telling us, we make every effort to root it out (AI, as many teachers well know, loves to rat out AI). And then we don't run the piece. When it comes to technology, nobody wants to be the last barbarian holding off the inevitable Roman invasion. And, of course, we're aware of current and future AI utility. But in the case of opinion journalism at this 178-year-old newspaper in this most unstable of American eras, we see it as a sacred pact with our readers that you are reading the words and ideas of fellow humans, unaided and unimpeded. Not only do we not want no robots nobody sent, we also don't want those smart AI alecks who can pretend someone did.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
King Charles ‘livid' as royal family's cherished Christmas tradition faces cancellation: expert
King Charles is said to be 'livid' that he won't exactly get Christmas cheer this year. The Sun recently reported there is a potential shortage of pheasants at the monarch's Sandringham Estate, which could affect the chances of a full shooting calendar this winter. Advertisement It is known as one of the monarch's favorite pastimes during the holiday season. 'King Charles III is livid, frustrated and disappointed, reflecting both his deep personal attachment to the cherished family tradition and his broader commitment to his royal heritage,' British royal expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital. 'He's also annoyed that the mishap reflects rather poorly on the management of Sandringham, which he inherited from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II,' she explained. 'The shoot gathers his extended royal family and guests, reinforcing bonds while upholding a long-standing aristocratic tradition. The root of the problem is that Charles has always opposed importing birds from elsewhere, preferring to maintain the estate's game population. The eco-friendly approach has failed.' Advertisement According to the outlet, the number of birds currently available has dropped. 6 Britain's King Charles III wore hearing protection as he watched an artillery piece be fired in Lark Hill on Friday. via REUTERS This may force the 76-year-old, who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer, to cancel the traditional Boxing Day shoot, which is described as a central part of the royal family's holiday plans. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. Advertisement 'Allegedly, King Charles is disappointed that one of his favorite Christmas family traditions may not take place this year,' British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. 'The Sandringham shoot is questionable due to a lack of Sandringham pheasants on the estate. It seems the family will have to bond, enjoy and celebrate over another hobby, or possibly clay pigeon shoots are the way forward.' 'King Charles may have felt a fleeting healthy upset, but in light of recent times, with the slimmed-down monarchy, cancer battles and more… the monarchy has found their typical ways changing as they are forced to be flexible,' she shared. 6 King Charles III was recently pictured taking a stroll at the Sandringham Estate. Bav Media / The Sun reported that a long-serving gamekeeper, who is responsible for managing the bird population on the estate, is said to have been let go in a recent staff shake-up, resulting in the shortage. Advertisement 'It was a total cock-up,' a source claimed to the outlet. 'No birds, no bang, just red faces. The king wasn't having it.' According to Chard, while the king may be let down, he isn't opposed to change. The monarch is said to be adjusting to a new routine as he continues his weekly cancer treatments and remains devoted to full-time royal duties. 6 King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2024. UK Press via Getty Images 'He pushes for change on occasion,' said Chard. 'He broke royal tradition with his last Christmas speech, recorded at the Fitzrovia Chapel, rather than a royal residence. It was there that he chose to reflect on the deeper things that connect us all — community, health, inclusivity and love.' Chard also pointed out that the shortage may prompt the king to review the shooting tradition, which has come under fire from animal rights groups. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner is hopeful the change of plans will allow the king to prioritize one thing — making amends with his younger son, Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. They reside in California. 6 On Christmas Day in 2017, the late Queen Elizabeth II, her husband and other members of the royal family were pictured leaving the St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Since the couple's royal exit, they have aired their grievances in interviews and podcasts, as well as Harry's explosive 2023 memoir, 'Spare.' Sources close to the prince, 40, previously claimed to People magazine that the king won't respond to his phone calls and letters. 'Perhaps he could bring the royal clan together, lock the door, knock all their heads together and unite the entire family, including Harry and Meghan,' Turner told Fox News Digital. 'This may be feathers flying in a different way than a grouse shoot, but if they really believe in the Christian principles, they would try, in my view. It is what Britain expects.' People magazine reported that Charles supports traditional practices and opposes importing birds from elsewhere for the customary rural pastime. However, the outlet reported that maintaining game birds in the area has been 'challenging.' 6 Britain's King Charles III greeted families of service personnel during a visit to the regiments headquarters in Lark Hill, Wiltshire. via REUTERS Advertisement People also reported that the king's grandson, Prince George, was taken on his first grouse-hunting expedition at Balmoral, the royal family's Scottish estate. Royal author Tom Quinn claimed in his new book, 'Yes Ma'am — The Secret Life of Royal Servants,' that Kate Middleton isn't allowing her three young children, including George, 11, to participate in 'blooding.' This longtime ritual calls for members of the royal family to smear blood on their faces from their first kill during fox or stag hunting. Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. In his 2023 book 'Gilded Youth,' Quinn claimed that William also wanted his family to get with the times. Advertisement ''William is struggling with the traditional pastimes of the royal family as they become ever more unpopular with the public,' he wrote. 6 Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously reported that Princess Diana wasn't a fan of game shooting. Getty Images 'William loves shooting — a love he shares with his father — but he is also conscious that the tide is now moving against what many people now refer to as blood sports (the royals prefer to refer to them as field sports). But are they suitable for George, Charlotte and Louis?' Quinn also wrote that while William, 42, was 'keen' to get the children into shooting, he also noted that 'few' expected Kate to 'allow' her children to take part in the blooding tradition. Advertisement Harry previously detailed his experience with the tradition in his memoir, 'Spare.' The 40-year-old recalled how his hunting guide, Sandy, pressed his face into the belly wound of a stag he shot during a blooding ritual on the grounds of Balmoral Castle. 'He placed a hand gently behind my neck and… pushed my head inside the carcass,' the Duke of Sussex wrote, as quoted by the New York Post. 'I tried to pull away, but Sandy pushed me deeper,' the prince wrote. 'I was shocked by his insane strength. And by the infernal smell. My breakfast jumped up from my stomach. After a minute, I couldn't smell anything, because I couldn't breathe. My nose and mouth were full of blood, guts and a deep, upsetting warmth.' Harry wrote that he 'felt swelling pride' that he had 'been good to that stag' by killing it with a single shot so it wouldn't feel pain. He said it was a 'show of respect for the slain' and 'an act of communion by the slayer.' The outlet noted that the book's revelations prompted animal rights organization PETA to condemn the father of two for his graphic descriptions. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously reported that Princess Diana wasn't a fan of game shooting, which has been one of the royal family's favorite activities for centuries. Seward claimed that the late Princess of Wales didn't even like her sons being photographed holding guns. Seward claimed Diana reportedly told William and Harry, 'Remember, there's always someone in a high-rise flat who doesn't want to see you shoot a Bambi,' as quoted by the U.K.'s Express. Still, the boys loved hunting, and Diana used to jokingly call them her 'Killer Wales.' Ken Wharfe, Diana's former royal protection officer, also claimed that Diana was disgusted by hunting. 'The royal shooting obsession was something Princess Diana found repugnant,' Wharfe said, as quoted by the outlet. 'Requiring little or no skill, royal pheasant shoots are a pre-planned carnage of wildlife, bred specifically for slaughter.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
David E. Kelley Is 'Hopeful' For ‘Big Little Lies' Season 3: 'We All Want To Do It Again'
David E. Kelley is just as eager for the continuation of Big Little Lies as the cast and fans of the HBO serialized adaptation of the Liane Moriarty novel. In a recent interview with People, the veteran TV writer-producer said he is 'hopeful' about Season 3, which would come more than six years after the conclusion of the sophomore installment. More from Deadline Sydney Sweeney Teases 'Euphoria' Season 3: "Cassie Is Crazy" Sarah Jessica Parker "Shocked" By Unpopularity Of 'AJLT's Che Diaz, Says She Loved Working With Sara Ramirez Mickey Down & Konrad Kay Reveal The Tarantino-esque Series They Were Working On Before 'Industry' - SXSW London 'We're hoping it happens,' the show creator, who recently accepted the Visionary Award at the Gotham TV Awards, said. 'We had a great time doing the first two seasons and we all want to do it again. I'm hopeful it'll happen.' Though the main cast — Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz — have largely expressed interest in returning, the quintet of Monterey moms are not yet 'under contract.' In recent months, Kravitz has expressed that she is 'waiting by the phone' for any news of forward movement. 'You need to corral a lot of high-caliber talent and their publicists, but everyone is very committed to it,' the Presumed Innocent creator stated, adding that it was 'pretty nice to hear' that the actresses were game to return. News of a third season first began percolating when Kidman first let it slip that HBO was working on a continuation of the moody, seaside-set crime drama. In the fall of last year, HBO boss Casey Bloys said the delay was attributed to the need for sequel source material from Moriarty, who announced she was developing a followup to her original novel, which will feature a time jump and new characters. With Moriarty still penning the book, Kelley said the project is 'still very premature.' He concluded, 'We haven't really all gotten together to brainstorm yet, but again, it's a great stable of talent. Once we do [get together], I think we have a good shot of figuring it out.' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
