Harry Potter’s Bel Powley on JK Rowling Trans Views: ‘Strongly Disagree’

Bel Powley, known for her role in the “Harry Potter” series, has expressed her disagreement with author J.K. Rowling’s controversial opinions on gender.

Powley is set to portray Petunia Dursley in HBO’s eagerly awaited TV adaptation of the famous book series, with its first season scheduled to debut this Christmas. As the show, executive produced by Rowling, approaches its release, cast members—including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid—have been questioned about their involvement due to Rowling’s views, which many have criticized as anti-trans.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Powley stated, “I strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling’s views on gender. I think that the trans community deserves safety, dignity, respect, and total acceptance.”

She continued by expressing her fondness for the “Harry Potter” series, saying, “But I love ‘Harry Potter.’ I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.”

Lithgow has also commented on Rowling’s perspectives multiple times, acknowledging he contemplated leaving the project but ultimately chose to stay. He mentioned on “The New Yorker Radio Hour” in April, “The reasons to do it were much, much stronger than the reasons to protest against what Rowling has done and said. I do disagree with much of it, much of it I think has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has doubled down on it at her own cost.”

The cast of the “Harry Potter” series also features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Directed by “Succession” helmer Mark Mylod and with Francesca Gardiner as showrunner, the series has already secured a second season, which will adapt the second book, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”