In a new interview with The Observer, the “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” star was asked about the backlash he received from trans rights activists after signing on to play the lovable half-giant in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series. Rowling, who has courted controversy in recent years by sharing takes on social media that are widely considered anti-trans, is an executive producer on the new series and was “very involved in the process” of selecting its creative team, according to HBO chief Casey Bloys.

Frost revealed in the interview that he had to disable comments on his Instagram post about his casting due to the amount of backlash. However, he said of the author: “She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.”

When asked if he fears the debate over Rowling may overshadow the series, Frost said, “I don’t know,” adding: “But maybe it shouldn’t blow over? We shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.”

Representatives for Rowling did not comment on the matter when reached by Variety.

On the other hand, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton — who is soon reprising the role on Broadway in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” — told Variety on the Tonys red carpet Sunday night that the controversy over Rowling hasn’t impacted his view of the franchise.

“The only thing I always remind myself is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world — here I am in New York — and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than ‘Potter,’” Felton said. “And she’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”

 

0

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

J.K. Rowling at the London premiere of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore’ in March 2022
Embattled author J.K. Rowling has given the first few episodes of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series her seal of approval, also sharing that she “worked closely” with the series’ writers.

“I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” Rowling shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also clarified that she did not write for the series but has “worked closely with the extremely talented writers.”

I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 21, 2025

Rowling also serves as an executive producer on the upcoming series, which has been billed as a “faithful adaptation” of the hit novels and blockbuster film franchise.

Aidan Monaghan/HBO

Arabella Stanton (Hermione), Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), and Alastair Stout (Ron) in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ series
The author has come under fire in recent years for her transphobic rhetoric and hostile views on gender identity, alienating generations of fans and drawing condemnation from the movie’s stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

HBO has largely dismissed the controversy, stating that they intend to stay in business with Rowling. Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max, assured that the series would not be “secretly infused” with anti-trans rhetoric and that Rowling was ultimately “entitled” to her own views.

Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
“You know, I’ve said this before, but the decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We’ve been in business for 25 years,” Bloys said during an appearance on The Town podcast last month. “I think it’s pretty clear those are her personal political views. She’s entitled to them. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”

Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin (as the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter), Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), and Alastair Stout (Ronald Weasley) have been tapped to the lead the series as the new golden trio. Other notable additions include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.

Francesca Gardiner (Succession, Killing Eve, His Dark Materials) will serve as showrunner, writer, and executive producer alongside fellow Succession alum Mark Mylod, who will direct several episodes. The series is aiming for a 2026 debut on HBO.

JK Rowling has responded after Stephen Fry claimed her “cruel” and “mocking” views on transgender people were a result of being “radicalised”.

The QI star, who narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks, was the latest to speak out against Rowling’s comments on gender ideology, which has seen her repeatedly come under fire.

Many, including stars of the Harry Potter adaptations, have accused Rowling of transphobia – and Fry, who said he was once close to the author, shared his own view.

Fry, who is an advocate for LGBT+ rights, said on The Show People podcast:” She has been radicalised, I fear – perhaps by TERFs [Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist] but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her. I’m afraid she seems to be a lost cause for us.”

In 2022, Fry stood by Rowling, saying he would not “abandon” her amid growing backlash, but said he is now speaking out against the writer as he “disagrees profoundly with her on this subject”.

However, Rowling has taken issue with the suggestion that she was ever friends with Fry, writing on X/Twitter: “It is a great mistake to assume that everyone who claims to have been a friend of mine was ever considered a friend by me.”

Rowling’s post arrives after Fry said of the author: “She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong, difficult views. She seemed to kick a hornet’s nest of transphobia that has been entirely destructive.

“She says things that are inflammatory, contemptuous and mocking,” he said. “They add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.”

Fry went on: “When it comes to the transphobia issue, it is right to remind people that trans people are here and that they are hurting. They are being abominably treated. There’s a great deal of bullying, violence, suicide and genuine agony in the trans community.”

JK Rowling hits back at Stephen Fry (X/@jk_rowling)
Rowling declined to comment.

In recent years, she has become ostracised from former Harry Potter child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint due to the controversy – and the author has said she would not forgive the actors for criticising her opinions, telling them to “save their apologies”. She has denied being transphobic.

In contrast, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, distanced himself from the subject when he was asked whether Rowling’s views “impact you at all or impact your work in the world of Harry Potter at all”.

He replied: “No, I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned to it.

Stephen Fry and JK Rowling (Getty/BBC)
“The only thing I always remind myself is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world – here I am in New York – and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. And she’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.