J.K. Rowling has been in a long-standing feud with the actors of Harry Potter over transgender comments
30 september 2025 в 00:37
J.K. Rowling has been in conflict with the actors of the «Harry Potter» film — Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe — for many years due to the author’s statements about the transgender community. Recently, Rowling shared a lengthy response to Emma Watson’s September interview on Jay Shetty’s podcast, in which she was asked about her distant relationship with the wizarding world genius.
«Emma Watson and her partners have every right to embrace gender identity ideology. Such beliefs are protected by law, and I would not want to see any of them threatened with job loss, violence, or death because of them», - Rowling wrote on Twitter. «However, in particular, Emma and Dan have made it clear in recent years that they believe that our former professional collaboration gives them a special right — no, a duty — to publicly criticize me and my views. Years after the end of filming Harry Potter, they continue to assume the role of actual representatives of the world I created».
So, how did this cold discord between Rowling, Radcliffe, and Watson begin? Hollywood Life breaks it down below.
Rowling’s disagreements with Watson and Radcliffe stem from her position on the transgender community. The writer believes that anyone who was assigned male at birth should not be allowed to enter women’s bathrooms or changing rooms because they identify as women. Many have accused her of being transphobic, which she has denied.
The author of «Harry Potter» explained in a 2020 essay that she «wants transgender women to be safe», - but «at the same time [she] does not want natal girls and women to become less safe».
Elsewhere in the essay, Rowling wrote: «I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose no threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the reasons I’ve outlined».
Radcliffe and Watson quickly spoke out against Rowling’s views. In a statement with the Trevor Project, Radcliffe noted that Rowling helped him become a star but disagreed with her opinion, writing: «Transgender women are women».
«Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and contradicts all recommendations of professional medical associations, which have much more expertise in this area than Joe or I», - wrote the Broadway actor.
Rowling has made it clear that she has disagreed with Radcliffe and Watson for many years. In 2025, Watson was asked about her relationship with Rowling during an interview on the «On Purpose» podcast.
Watson emphasized that she «cherishes» her memories with Rowling but noted her disagreement with the writer’s perception of the transgender community.
«There's just no world in which I could ever cancel her or cancel it, because of something. It has to remain true — it’s the truth», - said the actress of «Beauty and the Beast». «I think the saddest thing about it is that the conversation wasn’t possible».
Rowling, in turn, called Watson «ignorant» in a lengthy post, claiming that the actress had previously sent her a personal note expressing outrage at her views on the transgender community
«Emma Watson and her partners have every right to embrace gender identity ideology. Such beliefs are protected by law, and I would not want to see any of them threatened with job loss, violence, or death because of them», - Rowling wrote on Twitter. «However, in particular, Emma and Dan have made it clear in recent years that they believe that our former professional collaboration gives them a special right — no, a duty — to publicly criticize me and my views. Years after the end of filming Harry Potter, they continue to assume the role of actual representatives of the world I created».
So, how did this cold discord between Rowling, Radcliffe, and Watson begin? Hollywood Life breaks it down below.
Rowling’s disagreements with Watson and Radcliffe stem from her position on the transgender community. The writer believes that anyone who was assigned male at birth should not be allowed to enter women’s bathrooms or changing rooms because they identify as women. Many have accused her of being transphobic, which she has denied.
The author of «Harry Potter» explained in a 2020 essay that she «wants transgender women to be safe», - but «at the same time [she] does not want natal girls and women to become less safe».
Elsewhere in the essay, Rowling wrote: «I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose no threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the reasons I’ve outlined».
Radcliffe and Watson quickly spoke out against Rowling’s views. In a statement with the Trevor Project, Radcliffe noted that Rowling helped him become a star but disagreed with her opinion, writing: «Transgender women are women».
«Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and contradicts all recommendations of professional medical associations, which have much more expertise in this area than Joe or I», - wrote the Broadway actor.
Rowling has made it clear that she has disagreed with Radcliffe and Watson for many years. In 2025, Watson was asked about her relationship with Rowling during an interview on the «On Purpose» podcast.
Watson emphasized that she «cherishes» her memories with Rowling but noted her disagreement with the writer’s perception of the transgender community.
«There's just no world in which I could ever cancel her or cancel it, because of something. It has to remain true — it’s the truth», - said the actress of «Beauty and the Beast». «I think the saddest thing about it is that the conversation wasn’t possible».
Rowling, in turn, called Watson «ignorant» in a lengthy post, claiming that the actress had previously sent her a personal note expressing outrage at her views on the transgender community
© Artemenko Olga
