John Lithgow has described JK Rowling's position on transgender rights as "ironic and somewhat inexplicable," but has confirmed that he will not be stepping down from the famous Albus Dumbledore role in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series.
The 80-year-old actor, who will portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter television adaptation, addressed the controversy at Rotterdam Film Festival following a screening of his new film Jimpa.
Mr Lithgow told the audience: "I take the subject extremely seriously."
He praised Ms Rowling for crafting "this amazing canon for young people" that has captivated readers across generations, noting the stories centre on "acceptance" and explore "good versus evil" alongside "kindness versus cruelty."
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John Lithgow described JK Rowling's position on transgender rights as ironic
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He told the Hollywood Reporter: "I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Ms Rowling has expressed such views."
Mr Lithgow revealed he has never met the author personally and emphasised that "she's not really involved in this production at all," despite serving as an executive producer on what is expected to be one of the most expensive television series ever made.
The veteran actor expressed frustration at criticism of his involvement in the project.
He said: "It upsets me when people are vehemently opposed to me having anything to do with this.
JK Rowling has faced backlash for her advocacy for women's rights
| PA"But in Potter canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She has written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role."
When his casting was announced, a friend with a transgender child forwarded him an article titled "An open letter to John Lithgow: Please walk away from Harry Potter."
"It was a hard decision," Mr Lithgow acknowledged. "It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that."
Ms Rowling has been vocal about her opposition to what she terms "the new trans activism," publishing a lengthy statement in 2020 criticising proposed changes to gender recognition laws.
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| HBOShe has donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland and established the JK Rowling Women's Fund to support organisations campaigning for what she describes as women's sex-based rights.
Several of Mr Lithgow's co-stars have publicly distanced themselves from Ms Rowling's stance.
Nick Frost, cast as Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu, who plays Snape, have both spoken out since joining the production.
Variety reported that one Rotterdam audience member left the room in protest after expressing disappointment at Mr Lithgow's decision to remain in the series.
The HBO adaptation is scheduled to debut in 2027 and will span a decade of television, according to Casey Bloys, chair and CEO of HBO and Max Content.
The ambitious project aims to deliver what the network has described as a "faithful adaptation" of Ms Rowling's novels, following the eight feature films released between 2001 and 2011.
"I'm the oldest person in this entire room, just turned 80.
"And yet I signed a contract, I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years!" he explained.
John Lithgow has publicly distanced himself from the Harry Pottor author
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"I absolutely have to keep at it. I felt: 'Wow! That means I will live to be 88.' I have that in writing."
Mr Lithgow isn't the only actor to have worked closely with Ms Rowling to call her out on her perceived transphobia.
The original film franchise's leads, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, along with Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne, have all previously issued statements critical of Rowling's position.