Keira Knightley says she was ‘not aware’ of Rowling controversy before accepting Harry Potter role
Keira Knightley previously said she was ‘not aware’ of a Harry Potter boycott over JK Rowling’s ‘gender-critical’ views. (Getty)
Keira Knightley previously said she was 'not aware' of a Harry Potter boycott over JK Rowling's 'gender-critical' views. (Getty)
Actress Keira Knightley has said that was “not aware” of calls to boycott the Harry Potter franchise due to author JK Rowling’s outspoken, ‘gender-critical’ views about the transgender community.
In September, it was announced that Knightley, 40, would be starring in the upcoming audiobook Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, voicing the loathed character of villainous Hogwarts headmistress, Professor Umbridge.
Speaking to Decider recently, Knightley claimed that she had no knowledge of some LGBTQ+ fans boycotting Rowling’s work, and appeared to apologise for her involvement in the franchise.
“I was not aware of that, no. I’m very sorry,” she said, adding that she hoped people with differing opinions could “find respect” for one another.
“You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we? And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.”
When the cast of Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions began to be announced back in August, some fans criticised actors involved for signing onto a project linked to Rowling, due to her outspoken remarks about the trans community.
Doctor Who star Michelle Gomez, who is set to voice Professor McGonagall in the audio series, later acknowledged that taking the role was “hurtful” for her LGBTQ+ fans.
“I hear you, and I understand why this is painful for many. I want to be clear that I stand with trans people, and I support trans rights – fully and without hesitation,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I now understand more clearly how deeply complicated and hurtful this association can feel, and I take that seriously. Being an ally means listening even when it’s uncomfortable and taking accountability where it’s needed. I’m committed to doing both.”
Other actors involved in the audio project include Kit Harington, Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen, Riz Amed, and Cush Jumbo.
Iwan Rheon, Ruth Wilson, Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Simon Pegg, James McAvoy, Gemma Whelan, and Matt Berry will also star. None of the other actors involved in the audio series have commented on Rowling’s stance on the trans community.
Other actors have been condemned by LGBTQ+ fans for taking roles in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which has Rowling on board as an executive producer.
Nick Frost, who will play Hagrid in the show, has said that his views do not “align” with Rowling’s, while Paapa Essiedu, who will play Professor Snape, signed an open letter calling for more support for trans rights.
Other actors involved in the series, including The IT Crowd actress Katherine Parkinson and 3rd Rock From the Sun actor John Lithgow appear to have dismissed concerns from LGBTQ+ fans regarding their involvement.
Parkinson recently said she didn’t wish to “add to the debate” surrounding Rowling’s views on trans people, while Lithgow said he didn’t understand why the author’s views should influence his decision to take part in the project.
Some LGBTQ+ fans have highlighted that Rowling will benefit financially from upcoming Harry Potter projects.
The author has publicly declared that she donated to support For Women Scotland’s legal battle in the UK Supreme Court on the definition of the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the legal definition of a woman excludes trans women.
