Nicola Coughlan Says She ‘Wouldn’t Touch’ New ‘Harry Potter’ Series ‘With a 10 Foot Pole’ After J.K. Rowling Celebrates U.K. Ruling on Trans Women

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve felt compelled to voice my thoughts about J.K. Rowling and HBO’s latest “Harry Potter” series. Her recent celebrations over the U.K. Supreme Court’s ruling that defines a woman based on biological sex has stirred some discomfort within me. I believe it’s crucial for our stories and characters, including those in beloved franchises like Harry Potter, to reflect the diversity, inclusivity, and complexity of real-world experiences.

The decision made public on Wednesday has sparked anger within the transgender community because it effectively bars trans women from utilizing facilities such as public restrooms and hospital rooms designated for women, as well as potentially prohibiting them from participating in women’s sports teams. J.K. Rowling, who has faced criticism for her perceived anti-trans views, expressed approval of this decision by sharing a picture of herself smoking a cigar with the caption: “I always enjoy it when things go according to plan.

I’d rather skip the new ‘Harry Potter’ books; they wouldn’t interest me at all.” (According to The Telegraph)

The actor from “Bridgerton” has commented on HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series, titled “Hogwarts Legacy”, which unveiled its main Hogwarts faculty cast members last week. John Lithgow was announced as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Snape. Despite J.K. Rowling’s controversial opinions, she is involved in the series production. As EbMaster mentioned back in November, she played a role in selecting the creative team for the show, led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod.

During that period, an HBO spokesperson said to EbMaster that J.K. Rowling is entitled to share her individual opinions. They plan to stay committed to the creation of the upcoming series, and having her on board can only enhance its quality.

In this piece, neither HBO nor Rowling’s representatives promptly provided a response to our query for a comment.

In another video shared on Instagram, Coughlan expressed her disagreement with the decision. She pledged to contribute an equal amount, up to £10,000 ($13,200), to the Not a Phase cause for every donation made.

Similar to many others, I was deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s decision regarding transgender individuals yesterday. It’s appalling to witness a vulnerable group being targeted again, especially in legal terms. This is not only nauseating but also revolting. And to see people rejoicing at this is even more disturbing and repulsive.

Coughlan added: “If you identify as cisgender and support a trans or nonbinary person, I believe it’s crucial to express this now and show your solidarity publicly. Let your trans friends, the community at large, understand that you stand with them and are willing to keep advocating for them.

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2025-04-20 16:46