Expelliarmus.
The head of HBO has insisted that the new “Harry Potter” series will not be “secretly infused” with author J. K. Rowling’s controversial anti-transgender views.
Casey Bloys, who serves as CEO of the network giant, discussed the upcoming show, Rowling, and her divisive rhetoric during an episode of Matthew Belloni’s “The Town” podcast.
“The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We’ve been in business for 25 years,” Bloys explained on Wednesday, April 30. “We already have a show on HBO from her called ‘C.B. Strike’ that we do with the BBC.”
Like “C.B. Strike,” the upcoming “Harry Potter” adaptation on HBO will see Rowling, 59, serve as an executive producer. However, Bloys insisted that Rowling’s role as an executive producer does not mean that her “personal political views” will be “secretly infused” into the show.
“‘Harry Potter’ is not being secretly infused with anything,” he said. “I think it’s pretty clear that those are her personal political views. She’s entitled to them.”
“And if you want to debate her,” the HBO exec added, “you can go on Twitter.”
Bloys discussed Rowling and the controversy surrounding her outspoken views shortly after first announcing the new “Harry Potter” series in April 2023.
At the time, he said that the matter was a “very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into.”
“Our priority is what’s on the screen,” he continued, per Variety. “Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority – what’s on screen.”
Bloys’ latest remarks come after more than 2,000 actors signed an open letter pledging support for the trans community in response to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom’s ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” refer only to a biological woman and biological sex.
Several of the actors who signed the pledge, including “Fantastic Beasts” star Eddie Redmayne and Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu, have worked or will be working on projects connected to “Harry Potter.”
“We the undersigned film and television professionals stand in solidarity with the trans, nonbinary and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling on April 16,” they wrote.
“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,” the actors continued. “This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.”
Meanwhile, Rowling faced backlash for celebrating the Supreme Court’s surprising ruling.
“Think I might be having a cigar later,” she tweeted after the ruling was handed down.
“I love it when a plan comes together,” Rowling added in a second tweet at the time.
John Lithgow, who will star as Albus Dumbledore in the new “Harry Potter” series, has also been dragged into the controversy surrounding Rowling’s views.
During an interview with the Times of London on April 27, Lithgow revealed that he has already received significant backlash for joining the project.
“I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,” the “Conclave” actor, 79, said. “I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.”
