HBO is rebooting Harry Potter, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this Christmas and continuing with multiple seasons of television, each adapting another of author J.K. Rowling's books.
The writer's views on the trans community have proven controversial, with many Wizarding World fans critical of the actors willing to star in the series. The main argument is that the cast is giving Rowling's opinions their seal of approval by agreeing to play the characters she's created. Of course, just as many Harry Potter fans have found it easy to separate art from artist (and some agree with the writer).
Several actors have been asked how they feel about the writer's stance on this hot-button topic, and now Kit Harington has been asked about the continued discourse surrounding the author.
The Game of Thrones star was recently cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, taking over the role from Nicholas Hoult after he dropped out of the series due to scheduling issues. Harington previously played Lockhart in Audible's Full-Cast Editions.
"I’ve been a lifelong Harry Potter fan," Harington said, explaining why he joined the series. "I was a fan when I was a kid, and then I rediscovered it as an adult, listening to it every night. I listen to it every single night, and it helps me go to sleep, and I know other people do that as well, so they’re really important books to me."
He continued, "When I knew this was happening as a series, I thought it was the best idea. Because I love the films, but with this, they can really explore the books at their fullest, and for a book nerd like me, that was a really great idea."
While Rowling is an executive producer on the HBO series, she isn't expected to be heavily involved creatively. The author has said relatively little about the new cast, but hit out at original Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for criticising her views on trans people, saying the latter is "ignorant of how ignorant she is."
Rowling's opinions on transgender issues have been a problem for HBO's Harry Potter from the start. While she continues to deny being transphobic, she hasn't shied away from sharing her opinions about trans women being allowed in spaces reserved for biological women and has celebrated legal and political developments opposed by trans-rights advocates.
Asked about Rowling's views last year, HBO boss Casy Bloys said, "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We’ve been in business for 25 years. It’s pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She’s entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter."
The main cast of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.