Andrew Garfield takes JK Rowling swipe after sharing opinion on Harry Potter films
The new Harry Potter television adaptation has been plagued by controversy ever since HBO announced its development five years ago.
Much of this uproar has been centred on J.K. Rowling's involvement in the big-name production.
Amongst the huge-name stars who've recently shared their views on the divisive series is Andrew Garfield, who slammed the author this week as 'she that shall remain nameless'.
His comments come after a handful of 'Potterheads' vowed to boycott the decade-long production following showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod's confirmation that Rowling, 60, would be sitting in as an executive producer.
Why is J.K. Rowling 'cancelled'?
Rowling has faced considerable backlash in recent years for her extreme stance against transgender people.
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It seemed to begin with a fiery Twitter rant, where she publicly criticised the term 'people who menstruate' after it was included in an article about non-binary people.
The writer went on to tweet in 2024: "There are no trans kids. No child is 'born in the wrong body'. There are only adults like you, prepared to sacrifice the health of minors to bolster your belief in an ideology."
In a 3,600-word essay in 2020, she claimed she's 'worried about the new trans activism', as well as 'the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning'.
In the same piece, Rowling also argued against throwing 'open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman'.
And just last year, she supported the campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS), which brought a series of legal challenges over the legal definition of a 'woman'.
Many fans and figures in the LGBTQ+ community expressed outrage in response to Rowling's comments.
Several stars from the original eight-instalment film series also spoke out in support of the LGBTQ+ community, including titular actor Daniel Radcliffe, who wrote online, 'Transgender women are women', adding that any statement suggesting otherwise 'erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I'.
At the time, he added he was 'deeply sorry' for anyone who 'feels that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished' by Rowling's words.
Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson also came forward, saying trans individuals are 'who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are'.
What has Andrew Garfield said about the new series and Rowling?
The 42-year-old hasn't been linked to HBO's new production, nor did he acquire a role in the film franchise that came before it.
Despite this, Garfield had a lot to say about the remake, hailing the original set of blockbusters during a recent appearance on Hits Radio.
"I hadn’t watched the Harry Potters until recently," he admitted. "And he’s [Daniel Radcliffe] really good in those Harry Potter movies.
"Those Harry Potter movies are really good."
It didn't take long for the conversation to turn to Rowling, however, who Garfield described as 'she that shall remain nameless' - a reference to the series' antagonist, Lord Voldemort, otherwise known as 'he who shall not be named'.
Of the upheaval surrounding the author, he continued: "I know it’s, like, controversial. And like, we shouldn’t be, you know, putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless.
"But the soul and the spirit of a lot of the essence of the themes of those films, and all the artisans and craftspeople."
Garfield went on to say: "I’m working with a wonderful make-up artist, Claire, right now, who was working in the creature workshop. I feel like, oh man, we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
"There are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films. Anyway, I have a newfound appreciation for all of the artists."
What have the stars of the Harry Potter series said?
It isn't just stars of the former film franchise that have voiced concerns over Rowling's role in the series.
Newly announced Albus Dumbledore actor, John Lithgow, recently told The New York Times he almost quit the show, insisting his belief that the books are 'clearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry' kept him involved.
Nick Frost, who'll take over from the late Robbie Coltrane as Rubius Hagrid, added of the author: "She's allowed her opinion, and I'm allowed mine - they just don't align in any way, shape or form'.
When will the series be released?
A trailer for the series was shared with the world last week, confirming that the first production, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, would be released on Christmas Day 2026.
It'll star youngsters Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Topics: Harry Potter, TV And Film, Entertainment, JK Rowling, Celebrity
Rhianna Benson