Directors Reject HBO’s Harry Potter Series Over Rowling’s Views

TV directors Ally Pankiw and Kate Herron have publicly said they turned down opportunities to direct HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series because of J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender people.

Pankiw, known for directing episodes of Black Mirror and The Great, shared a text exchange with her representative in which she rejected the possibility of directing the show. She wrote, “Absolutely f---ing not!” and later said it was easy to say no to “funding transphobia.”

Herron, who directed episodes of Loki and Doctor Who, responded to Pankiw’s post that she had also been approached twice about the series. She said her answer had remained “a no.”

The comments come as HBO continues to build the cast for the new series. Nicholas Hoult has been confirmed as Gilderoy Lockhart for the second season, while Bel Powley, who plays Petunia Dursley, has publicly disagreed with Rowling’s views on gender.

Actor Paapa Essiedu, who plays Severus Snape, has also supported transgender, non-binary and intersex people by signing an open letter calling for stronger protections.

Rowling has repeatedly defended her views on sex and gender, while critics have accused her of promoting anti-transgender rhetoric. Several actors from the original Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, have publicly supported transgender people.

HBO’s Harry Potter series is scheduled to premiere in December.