J.K. Rowling’s ongoing feud with some of the biggest stars from the Harry Potter franchise is back in the spotlight — after the author said she has no plans to forgive Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for publicly distancing themselves from her views on transgender rights.
The debate surrounding Rowling’s comments on gender identity has followed her for years, with many fans arguing it has overshadowed the legacy of the hugely successful book and movie franchise.
Much of the backlash stems from a viral 2020 post Rowling shared in response to an opinion piece referring to “people who menstruate.”
“‘People who menstruate’,” Rowling wrote at the time. “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people.
“Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Since then, several actors connected to the Harry Potter movies have publicly made it clear they do not share the same views as the author — including franchise leads Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
In an essay written for LGBTQ+ organization The Trevor Project, Radcliffe apologized for any “pain” Rowling’s comments may have caused.
Watson also addressed the controversy directly, telling fans: “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” according to Tyla.
The conversation resurfaced again in April 2024 after Rowling posted about the Cass Review — an independent review into gender services for children in the UK led by pediatrician Hilary Cass.
Sparked reactions online
Calling it “the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children that’s ever been conducted,” Rowling claimed the findings showed that “kids have been irreversibly harmed.”
She added: “Thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media, and cynical corporations.”
The post quickly reignited online backlash, though one supporter defended Rowling and suggested Radcliffe and Watson would eventually apologize to her publicly.
“Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them …” the person wrote.
Rowling responded bluntly.
“Not safe, I’m afraid,” she replied.
“Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces.”
Her response sparked another wave of reactions online, with many social media users defending Radcliffe and Watson instead, according to the outlet.
“Perhaps Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson won’t forgive J.K. Rowling for her transphobia. Has she thought of that?” one person reportedly wrote.
Another added: “This genius thinks J.K. Rowling literally gave birth to Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Utterly lunatic.
“But even if she did, that would not compel them to agree with her. Children don’t have to agree with their parents.”
