Overview

• HBO Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys emphasized that the Harry Potter TV series will not incorporate J.K. Rowling’s personal views on transgender rights.
• Rowling remains an executive producer and was deeply involved in selecting the showrunner and director for the decade-long adaptation of all seven books.
• The first wave of casting includes John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
• Rowling’s public comments on transgender issues have sparked ongoing backlash, including criticism from former Harry Potter stars and LGBTQ+ advocates.
• Paapa Essiedu, cast as Snape, joined over 400 industry professionals in signing an open letter advocating for trans and non-binary rights following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling.