Latest news with #MinistryOfMagic
Travel Weekly
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Epic Universe debuts
Epic Universe debuts Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada The Atrium of the British Ministry of Magic in the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry in Epic Universe's Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Harry Potter stars' savage swipe at JK Rowling as they sign letter of support for trans women
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HARRY Potter stars have taken a swipe at author JK Rowling by signing a letter supporting trans women. One is actor Paapa Essiedu, who is set to play Professor Snape in the new wizarding TV series — due out next year. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 New Professor Snape Paapa Essiedu has signed a letter supporting trans women Credit: Getty 5 Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter movies, also signed the letter Credit: Alamy 5 Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry Of Magic lift, also signed Credit: Rex It comes after Ms Rowling backed women who celebrated a recent Supreme Court ruling that biological sex defines a woman in legal terms. Feminist Ms Rowling, 59, previously locked horns over trans rights with Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, whose careers she launched. Their relationships publicly deteriorated after Rowling published a 4,000-word essay about trans women on her blog in 2020. They each responded with statements showing their support for transgender women, saying they could choose who they wanted to be. read more on jk rowling NO RESPECT Keir admits treatment of campaigners like JK Rowling in trans debate was 'wrong' Now Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne and Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the Potter movies, are among the stars joining Essiedu signing the open letter to film and TV industry bodies. Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie — a student in The Goblet Of Fire — and Breeders star Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry Of Magic lift, also signed. The letter said that the signatories wish to "add our voices to the 2000+ signatories of the Open Letter from UK Writers to the Trans Community published last week", which was signed by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and Chewing Gum's Michaela Coel. Signatories said: 'We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK.' Julia Hartley-Brewer stands with JK Rowling Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club. 5 Charlotte Ritchie who played a student in The Goblet Of Fire also signed Credit: Getty 5 Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne also signed the letter Credit: Getty Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Eddie Redmayne leads Harry Potter stars signing ‘trans solidarity' letter
Eddie Redmayne has led several Harry Potter film stars in signing a letter expressing 'solidarity' with transgender people following the Supreme Court ruling. In an apparent snub to gender-critical author JK Rowling, the actors said they wanted to be on 'the right side of history'. Rowling has celebrated the ruling, which earlier this month decreed that transgender women are not legally women. Redmayne, the star of the Fantastic Beasts spin-off films, signed the letter along with Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the film series, and Charlotte Ritchie, who played a student in The Goblet of Fire. Another signatory is Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books. 'We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK,' the letter reads. It calls for organisations including Bafta and the BBC to join them in 'condemning' the Supreme Court ruling. The actors say they should use 'their public platforms to make meaningful commitments to protecting trans, non-binary and intersex members, talent and staff from discrimination within their respective organisations'. 'Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds,' the letter adds. 'This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.' Rowling appeared to celebrate the April 16 ruling by posting a photo of her smoking a cigar on social media, with the caption: 'I love it when a plan comes together.' The Supreme Court decision was hailed as a victory by women's rights campaigners. But pro-LGBT+ activists have criticised it as transphobic. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who played the lead roles in the original Potter franchise, have previously distanced themselves from the author's gender-critical beliefs. Other signatories of the letter include Breeders star Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry Of Magic lift in the Harry Potter films. Another was Bridgerton actress Bessie Carter, the daughter of Dame Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge in the movies about wizardry and witchcraft. The letter said that the signatories wish to 'add our voices to the 2000+ signatories of the open letter from UK writers to the trans community published last week', which was signed by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and Chewing Gum's Michaela Coel. Others putting their names to the letter include Joe Alwyn, The Brutalist actor, Babygirl star Harris Dickinson, The Last Of Us actress Bella Ramsey, Happy Valley star James Norton, and Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan, who has previously said she was 'disgusted' by the court ruling. Trans people remain protected from discrimination under equalities legislation.
