- Saturday, March 22, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
JK Rowling has once again found herself at the center of controversy after making a cryptic remark on social media that many believe was aimed at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The acclaimed author, who has faced significant backlash for her views on transgender rights, appeared to take a subtle yet pointed jab at the actors who have previously distanced themselves from her stance.
On Tuesday (18), Rowling responded to a social media post that asked, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?” Her reply, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” was accompanied by laughing emojis, suggesting a lighthearted tone. However, the comment was widely interpreted as a veiled reference to Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint—three of the most prominent actors from the Harry Potter franchise.
This latest remark reignites a longstanding feud between Rowling and the stars of the Wizarding World adaptations. The relationship between the author and the actors soured significantly after Rowling publicly expressed controversial views on transgender rights.
We see here a great illustration of the power of drama to bring home messages that have minimal impact when they are merely written.
All of these trans-identified male writers were open about the sexual fetish that drove their transgender identification over the years. And yet… https://t.co/eJN4Znmvby pic.twitter.com/thdaAgePtd
— Wesley Yang (@wesyang) March 18, 2025
The dispute began in December 2019 when Rowling voiced her support for researcher Maya Forstater, who lost her job at the Centre for Global Development after making comments questioning the government’s policies on gender self-identification. Rowling’s defense of Forstater led to an uproar among LGBTQ+ activists and many fans of the Harry Potter series, branding her a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist).
In response, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson openly criticized Rowling’s stance. Radcliffe, through a statement for The Trevor Project, emphasized that “trans women are women,” directly opposing Rowling’s assertions. Watson echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you, and love you for who you are.”
Rupert Grint also distanced himself from Rowling, expressing his support for the transgender community while acknowledging his gratitude toward the Harry Potter franchise.
Despite the backlash, Rowling has remained steadfast in her views. She has previously declared that she would rather go to jail than use preferred pronouns for transgender individuals and has dismissed criticism from the Harry Potter actors. In an earlier statement, she suggested that any apologies from them would be unwelcome, saying, “Save your apologies.”
Her recent social media comment signals that tensions remain unresolved, drawing fresh scrutiny from both critics and supporters. While some fans continue to stand by her, others argue that her remarks alienate a significant portion of the Harry Potter community.
As the debate continues, Rowling’s relationship with the film franchise and its beloved cast seems increasingly fractured. Whether this latest controversy will further impact her standing within the Harry Potter fandom remains to be seen.
