According to Deadline, J.K. Rowling (Order of the Phoenix, The Deathly Hallows) has explained why she won’t fire Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Men) from HBO’s Harry Potter series. Essiedu and Rowling both have views on the trans community that oppose one another, ultimately creating a ripple on set.

More recently, Deadline details that Rowling has been the subject of controversy several times in regard of several potentially anti-trans incidents. Most recently, Rowling gloated over the U.K Supreme Court, which ruled that a woman is specifically defined by biological sex. Essiedu, who will play Severnus Shape in the Harry Potter series, notably signed a petition for the entertainment industry in the U.K to protect the trans community. His signing was one of over 400 other actors’.

J.K Rowling took her thoughts to social media platform, X.

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. pic.twitter.com/nKcAl3gcvO

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 5, 2025

Several individuals have spoken on J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans views. CEO of HBO Casey Bloys stated on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast that, “Our priority is what’s on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.” Regarding Rowling’s views directly, he stated, “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. If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”

Bridgerton Star Nicola Coughlan also spoke out against the Harry Potter series, stating, “Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole.” These comments came after Rowling’s gloat over the U.K. Supreme Court’s rulings on women’s biological sex.