HBO's Wizarding World reboot hasn't even hit theaters yet, but it's already knee-deep in culture-war chaos – from J.K. Rowling's continued anti-trans rhetoric to a racially charged backlash over the casting of a black actor as Severus Snape.
The upcoming Harry Potter series, currently in production at HBO, aims to retell the story of the original seven books in a decade-long series. Unlike previous adaptations, this time author J.K. Rowling is more involved than ever. She's not just listed in the credits – she personally helped select the writer and director, and is serving as an executive producer.
To longtime fans, this may sound like a return to form. But for a growing segment of the fandom, Rowling's name has become more of a red flag than a seal of approval.
J.K. Rowling: Still Doubling Down On Transphobia
Rowling has been making headlines for years – not for her fiction, but for her increasingly hostile stance towards trans people. Most recently, she celebrated a UK Supreme Court ruling that trans women aren't legally women under the Equality Act, prompting The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal to call her out on social media for "heinous LOSER behaviour." (You gotta love him.)
She has claimed that trans women are "men pretending to be women," compared gender transitioning to mutilation, and continued to vocally defend these views, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Her rhetoric has led to boycotts of her projects, criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and visible discomfort from former Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have publicly distanced themselves from her views.
John Lithgow Joins As Dumbledore – And Kind Of Misses The Point
The casting of John Lithgow as Dumbledore should have been a win for the series. Instead, his recent comments about the Rowling controversy make it feel like a tone-deaf misstep. In an interview with The Times, Lithgow admitted that he was surprised by the backlash over his involvement, especially after a close friend – the mother of a trans child – sent him an open letter titled "An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter."
"I thought, 'Why does this even matter?'" he said, noting that he might meet Rowling at some point and was "curious to talk to her." That's not exactly the kind of statement that suggests deep reflection. Asked if the criticism had made him reconsider, he replied: "Oh, heavens, no."
For someone joining a franchise as culturally charged as Harry Potter – with a creator who has been repeatedly accused of fomenting real harm – Lithgow's hand-waving dismissal feels stunningly out of touch.
Bonus Points For Staying Quiet: Tom Felton Joins The Project
While former Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson publicly distanced themselves from Rowling’s anti-trans views, Tom Felton – best known as Draco Malfoy – chose a quieter path. And it seems that restraint has paid off. According to the Daily Mail, Felton will be involved in the new HBO series in some capacity, though not as an actor.
Insiders claim Felton "has Jo’s blessing," and that while he may not share her views, he always treated her with “dignity.” Warner and HBO are reportedly hoping he can bring added value to the production – perhaps as a mentor to the young cast or in an advisory role. In short: while others spoke out, Felton stayed diplomatic. And now he’s back on set.
The Snape Casting Backlash: What Is Happening?
Then came the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. While many praised the choice, others – particularly on Reddit and in certain fandom spaces – unleashed a wave of racist backlash.
Some claimed that the decision changed the character too drastically, with posts arguing that Snape's childhood trauma would "read differently" now that the character was black. Others accused the show of pushing "forced diversity" or "woke politics." A petition against Essiedu's casting has garnered more than 4,000 signatures.
But critics of the backlash were quick to point out the double standards. "Most characters in the films already diverged heavily from their book descriptions," one user noted. "Yet it’s this particular difference that you’re concerned about. I wonder why?"
Another added, "He’s a professional actor and you should d*** well respect that, not make insinuations about his ability before you’ve even seen him deliver a line."
Amid the noise, a quieter comment stood out: "The man is too handsome to play Snape." (Okay, that might be a valid complaint.)
Magic In Crisis
Whether you see the new Harry Potter series as an exciting reboot or a cursed cash grab, one thing is certain – it won't fly under the radar. Between Rowling's ongoing controversies and a fandom torn between nostalgia and progressive values, the series is entering a cultural landscape far more complicated than it was two decades ago.
Perhaps there's still a chance for the show to win people over. Maybe the performances will speak louder than the headlines. But as it stands now, this isn't a magical new beginning – it's a very messy middle.