HBO defends J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the process of selecting the writer and director for their new Harry Potter Series.
In a statement made at a press event on November 12, HBO’s CEO Casey Bloys says that Rowling is, “Very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director.” She also says that Rowling’s personal vendetta against trans people “Haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff.”
Whether that statement is true or an attempt to save face, only those in the writer’s room know.
She goes on to say HBO is, “Proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter–the heartwarming books that speak to (the) power of friendship, resolve, and acceptance.”
But in regards to criticism against Rowling’s involvement on the basis of her anti-trans rhetoric she says, “J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views.”
As if that’s all it is.
“We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”
So it seems the network doesn’t care about her being a TERF. In all fairness, if anyone wants to make anything having to do with Harry Potter, they need to negotiate with and involve Rowling because she holds the creative rights to the I.P. This is why most folks opt for a complete boycott.
I’m sure there are folks in the network that are not too thrilled to be working with her, but that’s most likely what the network had to allow in order to get the green light on the new series. Many would say to “separate the art from the artist” but is it morally wrong for anyone to create anything with the Harry Potter I.P. due to the creator’s views on transgender people?
Well, HBO has made it clear what their answer is. Money talks, as they say.
When Rowling initially went public with her anti-trans views back in 2020, Variety magazine reported that, “Two of the biggest Harry Potter fan communities, MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron, denounced Rowling’s views and severed ties with the author’s future projects.”
At least the Potterheads have shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community especially, in this case, our transgender brothers, sisters, and siblings.
A similar outcry from the LGBTQ+ community to not support Harry Potter projects came when Warner Brothers published the action role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy in 2023. And yet, the game is crowned one of the best-selling games of all time, having sold around 30 million copies worldwide as of October 2024.
There’s big money to be made in the world of Harry Potter. But if you want to express your solidarity with the transgender community, and stick it to our all-consuming capitalist culture, don’t watch the show.
Image from UnSplash
