JK Rowling has seemingly taken aim at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in a recent social media post. The 59-year-old author, who has faced significant controversy over her views on transgender rights, has become increasingly distanced from the actors who once portrayed the iconic trio in the Wizarding World films.
Rowling, who previously stated she would rather go to prison than use a trans person’s preferred pronouns, has criticised the actors for their stance on her opinions. She previously declared that she would not accept their apologies for speaking out against her views. On Tuesday (18 March), when asked on social media, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a film for you?”, she replied: “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” accompanied by laughing emojis, a response widely interpreted as a reference to Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint.
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The controversy surrounding Rowling’s views on transgender issues first emerged in December 2019, when she publicly supported researcher Maya Forstater. Forstater had lost her role at the Centre for Global Development after making a series of tweets questioning government policies on gender self-identification. Rowling’s comments led to significant backlash, with many branding her a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a label she has repeatedly rejected.
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Following the initial controversy, Rowling published an essay on her website outlining her concerns about gender identity ideology, prompting criticism from Radcliffe and Watson. Radcliffe, in particular, issued a statement affirming his support for transgender rights, saying, “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.” In 2024, he revealed that he had not spoken to Rowling in years, further highlighting the rift between the author and the stars of her globally successful franchise.
