JK Rowling says she won’t fire Harry Potter Snape star Paapa Essiedu for pro-trans views

JK Rowling has said she would never get an actor fired from the new Harry Potter TV series because of their pro-trans views.

Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Severeus Snape in the forthcoming HBO project, is among the hundreds of TV and film professionals who signed a letter calling for industry action on trans rights.

The letter was compiled in the wake of the controversial UK Supreme Court ruling that gender is legally based on biological sex, a decision that was celebrated by controversial author Rowling and decried by LGBT+ activist groups.

HBO’s Harry Potter TV series has divided fans and stars of the Wizarding World franchise due to what many people say is Rowling’s history of transphobic rhetoric. Although the series is yet to start production, there is already a growing backlash, with many questioning those involved over their stance on the trans community.

After Essiedu’s appearance as a signatory on the letter, an “insider” told MailOnline that Rowling would “not be bothered one iota by Essiedu’s decision – and wouldn’t dream of intervening to get him sacked, despite being heavily involved in the project”.

Addressing this report X/Twitter, Rowling wrote: “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did.

“I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”

Rowling was a vocal supporter of the Supreme Court ruling on 17 April. Moments after the decision, she posted on X, “I love it when a plan comes together #SupremeCourt #WomensRights,” alongside a photo of herself on a yacht, smoking a cigar and holding a cocktail.

The author has denied being transphobic, but previously stated she would rather go to jail than refer to a trans person by their preferred pronouns.

The new letter has amassed more than 400 signatures, and states that the court ruling “undermines” and “threatens” the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK and “excludes” them from participation in everyday life.

“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,” the letter reads.

Other stars to have signed the letter include Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), James Norton (Happy Valley) and Eddie Redmayne, who played the lead in Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise.

This isn’t the first time Harry Potter stars have expressed support for the trans community, with original film stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson among those who have spoken out on the subject.

Rowling has become ostracised from the former child actors due to her views on trans rights – and she previously said she would not forgive the actors for criticising her opinions, telling them to “save their apologies”.

Despite Essiedu signing the letter, his decision to join a new Potter project has not sat well with many fans amid Rowling’s views on trans issues.

On Reddit, one user accused Essiedu of “having his cake and eating it too”. Another wrote: “I know one other thing you can do to support trans people, Paapa.”

Meanwhile, John Lithgow, who will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the show, responded to the fallout, calling it “odd”, adding that discourse surrounding Rowling’s views on trans issues shouldn’t be a “factor at all”.