J.K. Rowling humiliated as new Snape actor commits to fighting for trans rights

HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot is already proving to be an ethical minefield for its cast. J.K. Rowling is now famous as one of the fiercest warriors against the trans community, recently funding a British Supreme Court challenge which cruelly stripped rights from trans people.

As such, every actor who’s signed up for the new Harry Potter has faced entirely justified criticism for helping pour more money into her bulging bank account. Now, look, I get that actors will find it difficult to turn down a job in a high-profile HBO show, but maybe balance that against your reputation?

But it seems there’s likely to be some severe tension on set, as new Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu is one of the top signatories to an open letter laying out the importance of defending trans people and vowing to stand in solidarity with them. The letter says: “We believe the [Supreme Court] ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK.” and pointedly concludes:

“Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds. This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.”

So, presumably, as a signatory, Essiedu believes (rightly) that Rowling is very much on the wrong side of history.

Essiedu isn’t the only Harry Potter actor to have stood up to Rowling, with Fantastic Beasts‘ Eddie Redmayne, Katie Leung, and Charlotte Ritchie all adding their names to this message. And, famously, the core Harry Potter of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson all condemned Rowling’s poisonous beliefs, which offended her so much she’s indicated she wouldn’t forgive them even if they apologized (which they’re not).

All of which means we can’t help but wonder if Essiedu will remain in the role. Fighting against trans people appears to be the entirety of Rowling’s identity these days and she clearly hates any actor playing her characters disagreeing with her. It’s possible she may simply demand the role be recast altogether, especially as shooting hasn’t begun yet.

To be honest, if Essiedu genuinely supports trans people, he probably shouldn’t be helping line Rowling’s pockets so she can continue her crusade against them, but that’s between him and his conscience. Here’s hoping more Harry Potter stars stand up to be counted alongside their trans brothers and sisters.