James Acaster hilariously whacks cast of the new Harry Potter projects
James Acaster criticised those involved in the new projects (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
James Acaster criticised those involved in the new projects (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Comedian James Acaster has hilariously mocked the cast of the upcoming Harry Potter projects for their involvement, amid JK Rowling’s continued controversial stance on the trans community.
In recent years, Rowling – author of the original children’s book series – has become well-known beyond her writing career for her contentious, ‘gender-critical’ views on the trans community.
Her campaigning has seen her confront trans people on social media, share misinformation about the community and fund gender-critical group For Women Scotland – whose case resulted in the controversial Supreme Court ruling that decided the definition of ‘sex’ in the 2010 Equality Act does not include trans people.
Despite the final Harry Potter book being released in 2007 and its subsequent film adaption in 2011, two new Harry Potter projects are coming out which have a host of big names attached to them.
A TV adaption of the Harry Potter books, created by HBO, is currently being filmed and sees John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, with Warwick Davis reprising his role from the original films.
Meanwhile, the Harry Potter audiobook series, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, sees stars such as Keira Knightley, Hugh Lawrie, Bill Knighey and Kit Harrington, amongst many others, take on notable roles such as Professor Umbridge, Albus Dumbledore, Professor Slughorn and Professor Lockhart. The first audiobook in the series dropped at the start of November.
Both projects have faced criticism from members of the trans – and wider LGBTQ+ – community, as well as allies, who feel involvement inherently endorses Rowling’s views and helps her financially fund her gender-critical activism.
During the latest episode of the Off Menu podcast with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, which featured US actor John Early, Acaster derided actors who are involved in the the new Harry Potter projects in his typically sarcastic way.
The comedian, who has previously spoken out against other comedians who punch down at trans people, said the idea of actors who have roles in the the upcoming TV show and audiobooks but have not yet been announced “really makes [him] laugh”.
“All the actors who have been cast in it already, so they know they’re definitely in it, it hasn’t been announced and they’re just sitting around every day going, ‘oh s***’,” he said.
“‘Let’s see how this one goes down,'” Acaster continued, pretending to be one of the actors in question, “‘because they’re announcing this person today. Let’s see if people embrace…
“‘Oh, I was worried about this! I was worried about this! I shouldn’t have said yes! I’m f****** Voldemort! I’m Voldemort! That’s a huge part!”
“‘They’re not letting anyone get away with this!'” he added. “‘I just want to get away with it!
“‘I hope when they announce my one and everyone knows that I’m in it, I hope that everyone just responds like they did in the old days to Harry Potter and they’ll just think its exciting. Is that too much to ask? I thought it’d be exciting.'”
Gamble jokingly chimed in that if an actor is asked why they got involved despite the huge controversy and backlash they can just pretend they had no idea there were any issues around Rowling – akin to how Knightley responded to being asked about Rowling’s views.
“I’ll say I didn’t know there was any controversy or I’ll say we don’t agree but I can still work with her [Rowling] and then people will go, ‘yeah, y’know what? Fair enough’,” Acaster added.
