Emma Watson accused of siding with ‘oppressor’ J.K. Rowling as she targets transgenders

Emma Watson revealed how complicated her relationship with J.K. Rowling is, admitting that there will always be a part of her that deeply “loves” the celebrated author despite Rowling’s comments about the trans community. Rowling, meanwhile, has increasingly taken petty jabs at the three main stars of the film adaptations while propping up the upcoming reboot.

Rowling insists her disdain for the trans community is driven by traumatized people who are “detransitioning” and by trans women she claims have invaded “single sex spaces.” For all the criticism she receives, Rowling remains one of our most efficient writers, often making her arguments sound reasonable — reframing the ridiculous sounding bathroom debate, for instance, as one of “single sex spaces.” 

Yet there’s a persistent cynicism in the way she defends her stance, something apparent not just to famous allies like Pedro Pascal and the original Harry Potter trio, but to the wider public as well. Watson herself once seemed to distance from Rowling by tweeting her support for trans people.

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.

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Watson, for one, has created a tangential path as an advocate for people whose rights don’t always get platformed on the main stage. And alongside her co-stars Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe, she has been very vocal in criticizing Rowling’s statements about the trans community. This time, Watson was a guest on Jay Shetty’s podcast talking about her long absence from acting, and inevitably the issue of Rowling came up.

In a more measured tone, the beloved Hermione Granger star said, “I think the thing I’m most upset about is that a conversation was never made possible.” She added, “I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.” She also added that she hopes for a resolution soon but would still be okay if it never came.

EMMA WATSON on JK ROWLING
“I can love her. I can know she love me.
I can be grateful to her.” pic.twitter.com/IsheVBw8km

— WENSLEY (@WesGarbell) September 24, 2025

The statement was polarizing. On one hand, fans who admired Watson’s work both on screen and in advocacy were disappointed. On X, one user criticized her for sounding too neutral, while another suggested Watson’s sympathy exists only because her own identity isn’t the one being targeted by Rowling.

Easy to say when your existence isn't what's being debated. Some views actually harm people.

— SUPAMAN | ⚡︎ The Cozy World (@I_AM_ADEYEMIE) September 24, 2025

neutrality in the face of oppression isn’t compassion, it is siding with the oppressor

Saying you can ‘still love’ Rowling while she openly attacks trans people just shows you are insulated from the damage she causes… That’s not grace, it is privilege!!

— El Jefe 🇨🇩 (@CJayFenty) September 24, 2025

On the other hand, there has to be a complex feeling with the three stars in particular when it comes to Rowling. How exactly are you supposed to act when the person who played a major role in helping you build your career goes off on a political tangent that you feel is harmful? Many people deal with this in their own families, and there’s no easy solution.

Meanwhile, Rowling has been eager to wash her hands of her original trio. She’s spoken at length about her excitement for the TV remake, where she’s taken an active role — and now has a new cast to champion. According to The Independent, she even responded to an open question on X asking which actors instantly ruin a movie by quipping, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.”

I'm truly thrilled to announce our director and writer, both of whom I interviewed as part of the production team. Both have a genuine passion for #HarryPotter, and having read Francesca's pilot script and heard Mark's vision, I'm certain the TV show will more than live up to… https://t.co/Cp146BXMny

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2024

Three guesses.

Sorry, but that was irresistible.
🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/hAMHw2b8EV

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 18, 2025

In most cases where a child actor falls out with the adult who gave them their career break, the blame usually falls on the actor, who still has maturing to do. But with Rowling, this may stand as one of the most defining plot twists of her career.