RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Logo text Two directors revealed on social media that they declined opportunities to direct episodes of HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series over author J.K. Rowling 's trans views.
First, writer-director Ally Pankiw ( Black Mirror , Ponies ) took to Instagram to post a screenshot of an apparent text-message exchange with her agent where she was asked if she would be interested in the high-profile fantasy series.
"I have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask," the unnamed agent wrote. " Harry Potter ? Hard no?" Related Stories TV Nicholas Hoult Boards 'Harry Potter' Season 2 as Gilderoy Lockhart TV Another 'Harry Potter' Star Rejects J.K. Rowling's Trans Views: "Strongly Disagree"
Pankiw shot back: "Absolutely fucking not! lol… (But thank you for asking)."
To which the agent replied, "Of course 🙂 … I assumed as much… (And agree)."
Pankiw added in the comments: "It simply is this easy to say 'no' to funding transphobia."
The post inspired director Kate Herron ( Loki , Doctor Who ) to write in the comments, "They've asked me twice and I've had to explain my answer is never going to change from a 'no.'"
Pankiw added in her Story, "Also want to shout out the amazing @herronthatkate who also said 'no' … twice! And that's actually hard!"
The disclosures mark a rare instance of prominent behind-the-scenes creatives revealing they turned down a major upcoming studio production to protest a person involved in the project. An HBO representative for the show had no immediate comment.
Franchise creator and executive producer Rowling's views on transgender issues have been an issue for HBO and the show's talent since the series was announced. While Rowling has long denied that she is transphobic, she regularly posts anti-trans rhetoric and has celebrated legal and political developments opposed by trans-rights advocates.
Several actors on the show have spoken out against Rowling. Bel Powley, who plays Potter's aunt Petunia Dursley in the highly anticipated series, told The Telegraph in an interview published on Monday, "I strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling's views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance."
Powley then added, "But I love Harry Potter . I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness."
Nick Frost, who plays the Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid, said last year, "She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form."
John Lithgow, who plays headmaster Albus Dumbledore, has given somewhat conflicting statements on the topic. In April of 2025, he told The Times UK, "Why is this a factor at all?" and, when asked if her stance on trans rights gave him any pause about accepting the role, replied, "Oh, heavens no." After receiving backlash for those comments, he called Rowling's stance "ironic and inexplicable" in February at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. But then Lithgow made headlines again in April saying Rowling's views had been "twisted and misrepresented."
Paapa Essiedu, who plays Severus Snape in the series, signed an open letter supporting trans rights in the U.K. last year. Responding to an article speculating that she would "fire" the actor from the show, Rowling posted, "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."
When asked about Rowling last year, HBO chief Casey Bloys told The Town podcast, "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years" — referring to Warner Bros.' long relationship with Rowling through the film franchise. "It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter."
The first season of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , premieres Dec. 25 on HBO.
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