HBO's chief content officer Casey Bloys has defended the network's partnership with JK Rowling for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series amid ongoing controversy over the author's views on transgender issues.
The highly anticipated series, which recently announced six main cast members, has faced calls for boycotts from critics of Rowling's gender critical politics.
Bloys addressed the controversy during an appearance on The Town podcast, dismissing concerns about working with the Edinburgh-based author.
The controversy has intensified following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman, which the author hailed as a victory.
A Harry Potter HBO boss has come out in support of JK Rowling
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"The decision to be in business with JK Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years," Bloys said.
He noted that HBO already produces Rowling's "C.B. Strike" series with the BBC.
"I think it's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them," he added.
Bloys firmly rejected suggestions that the author's views would influence the show's content.
"Harry Potter is not being secretly infused with anything," he stated.
The HBO executive suggested critics take their concerns elsewhere, saying: "If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter."
Bloys stressed the show was not going to address the fury surrounding Rowling
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US actor John Lithgow, who was revealed to be playing Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the series, issued a similar statement on Rowling’s involvement recently.
"I thought, why is this a factor at all? I wonder how JK Rowling has absorbed it," he told The Times, adding: "I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her and I’m curious to talk to her."
As well as general backlash to the series among some fans, Lithgow revealed he had received direct challenges for being involved in the project.
The actor said a "very good friend" with a trans daughter had sent him a piece titled: "An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter."
Rowling sparked fury with her celebratory post following the Supreme Court ruling
X: JK Rowling
Rowling has long courted the ire of trans advocates for her stalwart stance on gender critical issues.
The Edinburgh-based author caused a frenzy of reaction as she celebrated the UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex at birth rather than acquired gender.
Rowling described the ruling as having "protected the rights of women and girls across the UK".
"It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” she continued.
She then further revelled in the decision with a rare photo of herself, in which she can be seen smoking a cigar and enjoying a cocktail while on a boat.
"I love it when a plan comes together," the author remarked.
