JK Rowling stated she will retain actor Paapa Essiedu, who plays Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, despite his support for transgender rights. In an X post, Rowling argued against removing individuals from roles due to their beliefs, stating, "I don't believe in taking away people's jobs." Essiedu, among many others, signed an open letter criticizing a UK Supreme Court ruling regarding the definition of women and sex, asserting it endangers trans and non-binary individuals. The controversy surrounding Rowling's views has prompted calls for boycotts of the Harry Potter franchise.
I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.
We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK.
Film and TV industry professionals must now urgently work to ensure that our trans, non-binary and intersex colleagues, collaborators and audiences are protected from discrimination and harassment in all areas of the industry.
After the supreme court's ruling, Rowling shared a photo on social media of herself smoking a cigar from her superyacht with the caption: I love it when a plan comes together.
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