HBO Harry Potter child stars pulled from London event amid trans rights petition
Oxford Street is set to celebrate Harry Potter with its Christmas lights (Getty Images)
HBO has confirmed the child stars of its forthcoming Harry Potter TV series will not appear at Oxford Street’s official Christmas lights switch-on, amid reports that protest fears and safety concerns were raised around the event’s Harry Potter partnership.
The switch-on is scheduled for 4.30pm on Monday, November 9, with Oxford Street set to receive a makeover in partnership with the new series. A Harry Potter shop is also due to open on the London street on November 4, billed as the UK’s largest official Harry Potter flagship store.
An HBO spokesperson said they have “decided not to involve our young actors in the official switch-on event for the Oxford Street Christmas lights”.
HBO said the decision was about protecting the young cast’s time while filming continues. The spokesperson added: “With production of our second season already under way, we are mindful of our young actors’ busy schedules and are judicious when it comes to asks of their time on top of their production and education commitments.”
Harry Potter protests
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition from the Good Law Project urging London mayor Sadiq Khan to cancel the themed lights. The petition states: “Harry Potter lights in one of the busiest streets of London will not make trans people feel Christmassy, welcome, or safe.”
The petition follows a recent protest at a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gala night, which saw activists disrupt the red carpet event. Potter author JK Rowling also doubled-down on her gender-critical views last month in a lengthy essay, in which she said trans activism is “elitist”.
According to The Sun, HBO Max bosses met with key stakeholders and concerns were raised about public disorder linked to trans-rights groups. One source said: “It was all looking really exciting but sadly there are concerns about their safety. With the police and stakeholders, it was decided the child actors won’t appear.” They added: “No one wants to risk their safety if protests go ahead.”
Rowling has faced sustained criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations, trans advocates and many fans over statements and campaigning relating to women’s and trans rights. She has claimed she is not transphobic, arguing her position relates to sex-based rights.
Sadiq Khan’s response
Khan’s office said the Oxford Street Christmas lights are organised by the New West End Company, not by his office. A City Hall London spokesman told The Telegraph: “The mayor is clear that he will always support and champion all of London’s diverse communities, including trans and non-binary Londoners.”
The first season of HBO’s adaptation is due to launch this Christmas, beginning with an eight-episode run of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
