JK Rowling’s involvement benefits the Harry Potter series

Just months after HBO said it was “committed to an inclusive, diverse cast” for the series Harry Potter Restart the TVthe network confirmed the proudly transphobic creator JK Rowling was “very involved” in the beginnings of the project and praised the author for her “invaluable” contribution.

Rowling has expressed anti-transgender views for at least December 2019 and hasn’t looked back since publishing 3,600 words transphobic manifesto in June 2020. Following the note, all three principals Harry Potter actors – Daniel RadcliffEmma Watson and Rupert Grint – objected to Rowling’s comments.

Harry Potter fan sites MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron also condemned Rowling’s beliefs, leading to Warner Bros. responded by stating that “a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and our audiences around the world.”

Just today, Rowling rejected a City of Edinburgh Council social media post commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance. Apparently, criminal complaint made in August by Algerian boxer and Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif did not shake Rowling’s determination.

However, HBO’s chief content officer Casey Bloys told reporters earlier this month that Rowling was “very, very involved in the writer-director selection process” for the upcoming TV series and added that her anti-trans statements ” “were not influenced by the casting or hiring of writers or production staff.”

Recently, a spokesperson for the network released a statement Diversity citing Warner’s “over 20 years” of collaboration with Rowling and adding that “her contribution has been invaluable.”

“We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – uplifting books that speak about the power of friendship, determination and acceptance,” the statement continued. “JK Rowling has the right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on developing the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”

Meanwhile, Rowling has barely promoted the series since she shared a flyer on September 10 inviting an open casting call for the series’ lead roles. Instead, her social media timeline was characteristically littered with posts focusing on her anti-trans agenda.

Although there is no set release date Harry Potter Francesca Gardiner will be the showrunner along with others Inheritance alum Mark Mylod directed many episodes.