HBO's chief content officer Casey Bloys recently appeared on the "The Town" podcast, highlighting that Harry Potter fans believe the network's upcoming TV adaptation of JK Rowling's literary franchise will not "inject" the author's controversial views on the Transgender community. Both the network and the new "Harry Potter" actor are being opposed for doing business with Rowling, who continues to post many trans comments on X. She also uses social media to regularly criticize her critics and target public figures (for example, John Oliver slams the comments on trans athletes).
"Deciding to do business with JK Rowling is nothing new. We've been in business for 25 years," Bloyce said. He nodded, a "Harry Potter" film franchise dedicated to the successful "Harry Potter" which spawned eight movies with a $7.7 billion global box office, and launched $7.7 billion movies, and launched spin-offs, video games and more.
Asked if Rowling’s perception of the trans community made him worry about the show, Blois continued: “We’ve done a show called “CB Strike” from her HBO, and we did a show for the BBC. It’s clear that these are her personal, political views. She has the right to their rights.’ Harry Potter’’Harry Potter’’not to not nofe nofe and nofe and nofe and nofe and to and to and to the twitter.
In a press release last year, Bloys told reporters that Rowling was “very very, very involved in the process, selecting” allegations of performer Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod leading the “Harry Potter” TV series. He added that Rowling's anti-establishment trans statement "has no impact on the casting or employment of the writers or workers of the work of the show." A spokesperson for the network added in the statement type Rowling's "contribution" to the larger Warner Bros. discovery company was "very valuable".
"We are honored to tell the story of Harry Potter again, the story of Harry Potter is a heart-warming book about friendship, determination and acceptance of strength," the statement continued. "JK Rowling has the right to express her personal opinion. We will continue to focus on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement."
HBO confirmed the first round of the new "Harry Potter" series last month, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essieedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Lithgow later told The London Times that he was surprised by the subsequent rebound. A friend of the actor sent him an open letter asking him to leave the show due to Rowling's involvement.
“I thought, ‘Why is this a factor?’ I wonder how JK Rowling absorbs it,” Lithgow said. "I think I'll meet her at some point and I'd love to talk to her."
Asked if the rebound caused him to rethink the role, Litgo said, “Oh, heaven doesn’t.”