An actor who featured in the much-loved Harry Potter films attended JK Rowling’s stage show amid the author’s controversial views on trans rights.
Rowling’s comments about the trans community have led to her facing accusations of transphobia in the past, which have become progressively stronger since first liking an anti-trans tweet in 2018 that referred to transgender women as ‘men in dresses’.
As a result, the Harry Potter author has an ongoing feud with many actors who starred in the Harry Potter movies, including Daniel Radcliffe.
The star of the show told The Atlantic: “It makes me really sad, ultimately.
“Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”
JK Rowling has an ongoing feud with many Harry Potter co-stars (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Adding: “Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person.
“But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life.”
While Radcliffe has distanced himself from Rowling in recent years, one Harry Potter actor who is standing by her is Tom Felton.
The Draco Malfoy actor will be reprising his role for the Broadway show and has demonstrated continued support for Rowling by attending the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 10-year anniversary celebration on Thursday (July 10).
Felton was asked at the Tony Awards in June if Rowling’s comments about trans people had impacted his career.
Felton has not been critical of Rowling (Tristar Media/Getty Images)
He replied: “No, I can’t say it does. I’m not really that attuned. 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.”
Like Radcliffe, Emma Watson, who starred as Hermione Granger in the franchise, has criticised Rowling for her comments.
In 2020, she posted a supportive message to the trans community on Twitter.
“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” it read.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”