Harry Potter TV star says she 'strongly disagrees' with JK Rowling's views on gender

Published: 11:57, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 12:02, 10 August 2026 One of the actors from HBO's new Harry Potter series has claimed she 'strongly disagrees' with JK Rowling's views on gender. Bel Powley, 34, will play Potter's aunt Petunia Dursley in the forthcoming adaptation of the popular novels, which is set to air from December this year. Ms Rowling has become an outspoken campaigner for women's rights and single sex spaces in recent years, arguing that biological sex is foundational to women's safety – a view that has brought the threat of a boycott from transgender people.  But British actress Powley has distanced herself from Ms Rowling's stance on gender issues, arguing that the trans community deserve 'respect and total acceptance'. Ms Rowling has already faced criticism – including from original Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – over her campaign, which faced further backlash last year from Paapa Essiedu who plays Severus Snape in the new series.  Now, Powley has told The Telegraph: 'I strongly disagree with JK Rowling's views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.  'But I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.' The new series, starring child actor Dominic McLaughlin, is thought to be costing £75million per episode and will release in December.  Harry Potter actress Bel Powley, 34, has admitted she 'strongly disagrees' with JK Rowling's views on gender Rowling has faced criticism - including from Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson - over her campaign to protect what she describes as women's rights Powley, pictured in a trailer, is set to play Harry Potter's aunt Petunia Dursley in the new HBO adaptation of the novels But the series has reignited backlash against Ms Rowling, who first revealed her gender-critical views when she liked a 2018 post on Instagram describing trans women as 'men in dresses'. Ms Rowling has since embarked on a campaign promoting sex-based rights which saw her oppose legislation in Scotland that sought to make it easier to legally change gender.  The writer has also provided financial support to those fighting court cases challenging the legal status of trans people. In a lengthy 3,600-word statement on her website published in 2020, she said her stance on the issue was drawn from experiences of abuse and sexual assault. She wrote: 'When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman... then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth.' Those views have however brought the British author, thought to be worth approximately £1billion, a huge wave of criticism from those in the film and television industries.  She previously vowed 'never to forgive' Watson, Radcliffe and Grint after accusing the trio of 'cosying up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights'.  Ms Rowling later doubled down on her criticism of Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the films, arguing her views on trans rights were due to her lack of experience of 'real life' last September.  Just weeks earlier, the actress had blamed a driving ban on being a child movie star, saying it had left her 'unable to do some pretty basic life things'. Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe have all previously distanced themselves from Rowling's views Rowling hit out at Watson in September of last year, arguing her views on trans rights were due to her lack of experience of 'real life' Ms Rowling raged: 'I wasn't a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous. 'I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women's rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.' Ms Rowling went on to claim that Ms Watson's claim that she still 'treasures' her was a cynical attempt to shift her stance after realising 'full-throated condemnation of me is not as fashionable as it once was'. It came after Watson said during an appearance on On Purpose with Jay Shetty that her support for trans rights did not mean she had turned against the woman who shaped her life.  She added: 'I really don't believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can't and don't treasure Jo and the person that I, that I had personal experiences with.'  Ms Rowling insisted she did not expect Watson, Radcliffe or Grint to agree with her on everything and they 'have every right to embrace gender identity ideology'. But she added: 'Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right - nay, obligation - to critique me and my views in public. 'Years after they finished acting in Potter, they continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created.' Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield, 42, later appeared to hint that Harry Potter has become toxic because of its author's views. The American refused to explicitly mention Ms Rowling but instead referred to her as 'she that shall remain nameless' in an interview in March.   It appeared to be a nod to the villain of the fantasy franchise, Lord Voldemort, who characters variously call 'You Know Who' and 'He Who Must Not Be Named'. Garfield was speaking about the existing film adaptations from the noughties, which he said he had only recently watched for the first time, when he made the remark. 'I know it's controversial and we shouldn't be putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless, but the soul and spirit.' Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will play the central trio of wizardry students, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in the new HBO series, set to release in December. Executive produced by Ms Rowling, it also stars a host of already iconic actors, including John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu and Nick Frost. Lithgow, who will play Hogwarts headteacher Albus Dumbledore, has previously said it was 'a hard decision' to take on the role amid Ms Rowling's views about trans people. He called her stance on the matter 'inexplicable'.