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Harry Potter has remained one of the most beloved and lucrative franchises in entertainment history. With over 600M copies of the books sold globally, eight blockbuster films that grossed a combined $7.7B worldwide, and theme park attractions spanning multiple Universal Studios resorts, the Wizarding World shows no signs of losing its magic.
However, the upcoming Harry Potter TV series set for streaming service giant HBO could be in trouble following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling that sent shockwaves through transgender communities and beyond across Britain. In the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, the court decided that, under the Equality Act 2010, the terms “woman” and “sex” refer exclusively to biological sex at birth.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has been at the forefront of this discussion, following years of making headlines for her outspoken views on transgender rights.
In response to the ruling, which she fully supported (she also donated money to the gender-critical group that brought the case forward), Rowling shared a tweet claiming victory, saying, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
An accompanying selfie shows the author enjoying a cigar aboard her superyacht.
I love it when a plan comes together.
I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/agOkWmhPgb
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025
However, the tweet has been condemned by many, including high-profile actors like Pedro Pascal, who labeled Rowling as a “heinous loser.” Pascal, who stars in hugely popular shows such as The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, has a sister who is trans.
Rowling is yet to reply to Pascal’s comment, however, she has already locked horns with Doctor Who actor David Tennant, who has a trans daughter. Tennant is also known for playing Barty Crough Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
Meanwhile, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has condemned the project, saying, “Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole”. She also called the Supreme Court’s ruling “stomach-churning.”
But how does the Harry Potter TV series fit into all of this? Well, Rowling is an executive producer on the project…
Credit: Warner Bros.
Related: The ‘Harry Potter’ Actor Who “Didn’t Give a Sh*t” About the Films
The series, set to span seven seasons (one per book), aims to bring the original novels to life in a way the films couldn’t—exploring each year at Hogwarts in greater depth.
And it has already made waves with its newly announced cast: Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Gangs of London) as Severus Snape, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Rubeus Hagrid, Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds, The White Queen) as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon (Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt, Rupert Goold’s Patriots) as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Harry & Paul) as Argus Filch, and John Lithgow (Dexter, Shrek, The Crown) as Albus Dumbledore.
But now, the issue of Rowling’s involvement hangs over the series like the Dark Mark.
Credit: Warner Bros.
While there are no rumors or talks about the Harry Potter series being canceled yet, the intense backlash against Rowling could lead some actors to reconsider their involvement, particularly if they wish to, understandably, distance themselves from her views.
As such, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that some cast members could pull out to protect their careers, especially if they fear being tainted by the controversy. But for now, it seems the reboot is moving full-steam ahead, as it’s scheduled to begin filming this summer.
While the Wizarding World remains as popular as ever, the backlash might put the new series at risk. Will HBO proceed with filming, or will the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s personal views cast a Killing Curse on the reboot? Only time will tell, but the tidal wave of backlash that hit the open-world video game “Hogwarts Legacy” back in 2023–a result, of course, of Rowling’s views–are a pretty solid indicator.
Even if the series survives the inevitable calls to cancel, it could suffer from low viewership when it finally premieres on HBO sometime next year.
Credit: Warner Bros.
The Harry Potter television series is written and executive-produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (HBO’s Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve). It’s also executive-produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will executive produce and direct multiple episodes.
Click here to find out everything there is to know about the series.
What do you think about JK Rowling’s tweet and Pedro Pascal’s response? Let us know in the comments below.
