“It simply is this easy to say ‘no’ to funding transphobia.” Queer directors reject Harry Potter TV roles over JK Rowling’s views on trans rights

Two queer film and television directors have revealed they turned down opportunities to work on HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter television series, citing opposition to author J.K. Rowling’s views on trans people.

Ally Pankiw, whose credits include Shrill, The Great and the 2023 film I Used to Be Funny, shared a screenshot on Instagram showing a text exchange with her agent about the series.

In the exchange, the agent asked: “I have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask. Harry Potter? Hard no?”

Pankiw replied: “Absolutely f**king not!” before adding: “lol… (But thank you for asking).”

Sharing the image with followers, she wrote: “It simply is this easy to say ‘no’ to funding transphobia.”

Director Kate Herron, known for her work on Loki, Doctor Who, Sex Education and The Last of Us, commented on the post, revealing she had also declined approaches to work on the project.

“They’ve asked me twice and I’ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a ‘no’,” Herron wrote.

Pankiw later praised Herron for taking the same stance, writing: “Also want to shout out the amazing @herronthatkate who also said ‘no’ … twice! And that’s actually hard!”

The directors’ comments come as HBO continues work on its high-profile adaptation of Rowling’s bestselling fantasy novels. Several cast members attached to the project have publicly expressed support for trans rights, including Bel Powley and Paapa Essiedu.

Others have addressed Rowling’s views more directly. Nick Frost, who is set to play Hagrid, has said he disagrees with the author’s position on trans issues while defending her right to hold those views. John Lithgow, cast as Albus Dumbledore, has previously described Rowling’s comments as “ironic and inexplicable”, while also suggesting they have been “twisted and misrepresented”.

Rowling remains closely involved with the television adaptation as an executive producer.

The author has become one of the most prominent figures in debates around trans rights in the UK. In recent years she has provided financial backing to organisations and legal challenges focused on what campaigners describe as “sex-based rights”.

The scale of Rowling’s wealth, largely generated through the Harry Potter franchise, has made her a significant financial supporter of gender-critical campaigning.

HBO chief executive Casey Bloys has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Rowling’s political views should affect the production, saying the author is entitled to her opinions.