Latest news with #AnOpenLetter
News18
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Don't Have The Power To Sack': J.K. Rowling On Backlash Over Paapa Essiedu Casting
J.K. Rowling responded to the buzz over Paapa Essiedu's casting as Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling has responded to the online buzz surrounding actor Paapa Essiedu's casting as Severus Snape in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series. The British actor, recently in the spotlight for his vocal support of trans rights, has sparked discussions after signing a public letter that criticised a UK Supreme Court decision regarding the legal definition of gender. Following the announcement of Essiedu's role in the new adaptation of the wizard saga, attention turned to his involvement in a petition challenging the court's April 17 ruling in For Women Scotland v. The Scottish Ministers. The judgment reaffirmed that legal gender is determined by biological sex at birth, thereby potentially restricting trans individuals' access to single-sex spaces in workplaces, schools, and public institutions. I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 5, 2025 Amid growing social media speculation over whether Rowling, known for her controversial views on gender identity, would attempt to remove Essiedu from the project, the author took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify her position. Sharing an article about Essiedu's involvement in the letter, she wrote: 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine." Essiedu's stance, along with that of many other prominent figures in the film and TV industry, was expressed through an open letter condemning the ruling. The document, titled An Open Letter to Film and Television Industry Professionals and Cultural Bodies, was initiated by development producer Sid Strickland and script editor Jack Casey. It was signed by more than 1,500 industry professionals, including actors Emma Watson, Bella Ramsey, Nicola Coughlan, Emma D'Arcy, Aimee Lou Wood, and Joe Alwyn. The letter states: 'We, the undersigned film and television professionals, stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling on April 17th. We wish to add our voices to the 2000+ signatories of the Open Letter from UK Writers to the Trans Community published last week, and call upon members of our industry and cultural bodies to join us." Rowling's response has added another layer to the ongoing discourse around gender, representation, and the cultural legacy of Harry Potter as the franchise moves into a new chapter. First Published: May 08, 2025, 16:39 IST
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
What JK Rowling said about Paapa Essiedu's role as Snape in Harry Potter series
JK Rowling has revealed her stance on HBO casting Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series. The British actor became a subject of discussion online after the news about his new role broke. More recently, he made headlines for signing an open letter condemning the UK Supreme Court's ruling that trans women are not legally women. In response to his pro-trans move, the 59-year-old took to X to reveal if she would fire him from the show based on her famed book series. JK Rowling reveals if she would fire Paapa Essiedu from the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine,' Rowling wrote on X, as she shared an article about Essiedu being one of the 1,500 stars to sign the petition. Also Read: Victoria Beckham is living her 'worst nightmare' amid feud with son Brooklyn, Nicola Peltz Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film franchise, Bella Ramsey, Nicola Coughlan, Emma D'Arcy, Aimee Lou Wood, and Joe Alwyn were also among the hundreds of stars who signed the document titled, 'An Open Letter to Film and Television Industry Professionals and Cultural Bodies.' Also Read: Stylist for Simone Biles, Miranda Kerr manhandled' by police ahead of Met Gala 'We the undersigned film and television professionals stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling on April 17th. We wish to add our voices to the 2000+ signatories of the Open Letter from UK Writers to the Trans Community published last week, and call upon members of our industry and cultural bodies to join us,' the letter reads.
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
John Lithgow weighs in on backlash after joining Harry Potter series
John Lithgow isn't being intimidated by Harry Potter fans. The actor, 79, did an interview with the Times of London published on 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. 'Of course, it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' Lithgow said, reports the New York Post. 'It's an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.' 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 coal mine,' Lithgow said. 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.' 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. '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.' 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.' '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.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
John Lithgow on receiving backlash over joining Harry Potter TV Series after JK Rowling controversy: ‘Is this a factor?'
American actor John Lithgow has spoken candidly about the mixed reactions he's received for joining the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, especially in light of the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, the creator of the franchise. In an interview with The Times of London, John acknowledged the criticism, particularly due to JK's remarks about the transgender community. He explained that the backlash was something he hadn't anticipated, as he was more focused on his age when he agreed to take on the role. 'Of course, it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play. It's an eight-year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role,' he shared. A post shared by Hindustan Times (@hindustantimes) John revealed that a 'very good friend who is the mother of a trans child' had sent him an open letter titled An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter following his casting announcement. He described this as 'the canary in the coal mine.' Reflecting on the situation, he questioned why JK's previous statements should be relevant to the new project. '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,' he said. However, when asked if the backlash had made him reconsider his decision, John firmly replied, 'Oh, heavens no.' JK sparked controversy in 2020 when she posted a series of tweets suggesting that the existence of transgender people undermines the 'lived reality of women.' In response, stars from the original Harry Potter films—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—publicly distanced themselves from her views. Following the announcement of the new series, HBO's chief content officer, Casey Bloys, stated that while JK had been 'very, very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,' her anti-transgender comments had not influenced the casting or hiring decisions for the production.
Irish Daily Star
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Harry Potter star John Lithgow shocked by J.K. Rowling backlash after joining HBO show
He's no stranger to starring in top movies, but even Hollywood great John Lithgow was stunned by the reaction he got from starring in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter show for HBO. Fans rejoiced as the star was cast as Dumblemore in the Harry Potter reboot . However, John was not expecting the backlash he got too. The book's author, J.K. Rowling, has endured widespread criticism for her remarks about the trans community . Now in a new interview, the legendary actor has opened up about the backlash over taking part in the HBO series. John explained that it all got quite personal. He said a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child sent him an open letter entitled 'An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter' after he picked up the role. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump and Melania slammed as they're caught chatting and smiling at Pope Francis' funeral Read More Related Articles Jenna Bush Hager announces major career move in heartfelt statement John said, "That was the canary in the coal mine.". Lithgow went on to question why Rowling's past comments should affect the project. J.K. Rowling has been slammed for remarks about the transgender community (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) "I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,' Lithgow said to The Times . 'I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her.' Still, it did not deter him from taking on the part. When asked if the backlash has made him reconsider the role, Lithgow said, "Oh, heavens no." J.K Rowling recently hit headlines again after she hailed a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that defined trans women as legally distinct from women. The decision last week brought clarity to the Equality Act's language: "woman" and "sex" are to be understood as referring to "a biological woman and biological sex." For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here . The pronouncement by Lord Hodge was couched in terms of impartiality, advising that it shouldn't be interpreted as favoring certain societal groups over others while affirming that transgender people remain safeguarded against discrimination. He expressed, "The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms' woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another." The judgement arrived in the wake of For Women Scotland (FWS), a Scottish advocacy group, contesting the legal definition of a woman in Scottish statutes pertaining to gender balance on public boards. Rowling subsequently shared her take on the verdict via social platforms. The writer, recognized for her substantial £70,000 ($92,769) contribution to a cause opposing transgender rights, lauded the legal challengers saying, "It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. @ForWomenScot, I'm so proud to know you." For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
