J.K. Rowling Says She Wouldn’t Fire Paapa Essiedu for Supporting Trans Rights: ‘I Don’t Believe in Taking Away People’s Jobs’
J.K. Rowling says she has no plans to fire actor Paapa Essiedu from HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, even though he signed a letter in support of trans rights. In a recent post on X, Rowling said she doesn’t have the power to fire anyone from the show, and wouldn’t even if she could.
“I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” Rowling wrote. “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
Essiedu, known for I May Destroy You, will play Severus Snape in the new Harry Potter series. He recently joined other actors like Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) and Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) in signing a public letter supporting the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities.
The letter was a response to a recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling that legally defines “woman” and “man” by biological sex under the Equality Act.
“We the undersigned film and television professionals stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary and intersex communities,” the letter read. It called the ruling harmful, saying it “undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety” of these groups. It also said film and television have the power to inspire change and called on the industry to “be on the right side of history.”
After Essiedu’s support for the letter became public, some Harry Potter fans speculated on how Rowling might respond, given her history of controversial posts about gender and sex.
Since 2020, Rowling has faced backlash for her views on trans issues, which many see as transphobic. She often uses X to debate her critics and has openly challenged public figures, including John Oliver, over their support of trans rights.
Still, HBO has stood by its collaboration with Rowling. In a recent interview, HBO executive Casey Bloys said Rowling’s personal views haven’t influenced the casting or hiring for the Harry Potter show. He emphasized that while Rowling was involved, she helped choose the showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, but the show didn’t reflect her views.
“‘Harry Potter’ is not secretly being infused with anything,” Bloys said. “If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!