JK Rowling reveals where she stands with other Harry Potter cast following savage Emma Watson statement
Warning: This article contains discussion of LGBTQ+ discrimination which some readers may find upsetting
JK Rowling has revealed how she feels about the other Harry Potter cast members, following her brutal comments about Emma Watson.
The 60-year-old author of the wizarding world franchise made her feelings clear on Monday (29 September) when she issued a lengthy statement targeted at two cast members in particular.
She took aim at both Watson, 35, who played Hermione Grainger in all eight films of the franchise and Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the titular character.
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It came after Watson's recent podcast appearance, where she revealed why she could 'never cancel' the author, despite her long history of making transphobic comments and their differing opinions on the topic.
While being interviewed by Jay Shetty, Watson shared: "I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with."
She later added: "I can love her, I can know she loved me, I can be grateful to her, I can know the things that she said are true, and there can be this whole other thing."
However, Rowling's response was not as understanding, as she penned a lengthy statement on Twitter, accusing the actress of previously 'pouring petrol on the flames' and calling her 'ignorant'.
Rowling penned: "Like other people who've never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she's ignorant of how ignorant she is."
She also said she's 'not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character she created' and that Waston is 'rightly free to disagree with her'.
"Adults can't expect to cosy up to an activist movement that regularly calls for a friend's assassination, then assert their right to the former friend's love, as though the friend was in fact their mother," Rowling said.
Adding: "Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public - but I have the same right, and I've finally decided to exercise it."
Understandably, this has left fans wondering where the author stands with the rest of the cast, which she revealed in a cryptic tweet yesterday (30 September).
One Twitter user wrote that they've 'had a hard time with forgiveness with the cast from the movies' which prompted Rowling to say 'it's not all of them'.
She responded: "I have no wish to point my more rabid detractors at any individual, so I'll just say #NotAllPotterKids.
"There are some who've been staunch throughout and I have nothing but deep affection for them."
One cast member who has remained neutral throughout the debate is Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in all of the Harry Potter films.
When asked about his position on the controversy by Variety at the Tony awards back in June, he said: “I can’t say it [impacts me], I’m not really that attuned to it.”
He then added: “I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]
Topics: JK Rowling, Books, Emma Watson, Twitter, Harry Potter, Podcasts
Madison Burgess