JK Rowling jabs ‘Harry Potter’ trio Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint over trans rights

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: JK Rowling has once again stirred controversy by seemingly taking a jab at 'Harry Potter' stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint on social media.

The 59-year-old author, whose views on transgender rights have put her at odds with the trio in recent years, reignited tensions with a pointed remark online, as per The Independent.

JK Rowling’s social media jab

JK Rowling was asked on social media on March 18, Tuesday, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?”

The author replied, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.”

While her use of laughing-face emojis suggested humor, many interpreted the remark as a veiled swipe at Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint- all of whom have distanced themselves from Rowling over her stance on transgender rights.

A rift that stems from transgender issues

JK Rowling's public stance on transgender issues dates back to December 2019 when she expressed support for researcher Maya Forstater.

Forstater’s contract with the Centre for Global Development had not been renewed after she posted a series of tweets questioning government plans to allow self-identification for gender changes.

The researcher faced accusations of using “offensive and exclusionary” language in tweets criticizing government proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act, which aimed to allow individuals to self-identify as the opposite sex.

Rowling’s support for Forstater drew backlash from fans and critics alike, leading to accusations that Rowling was a “terf”-a term for trans-exclusionary radical feminists.

Despite denying accusations of transphobia, Rowling doubled down by publishing an essay on her website outlining five reasons she was “worried about the new trans activism".

This essay prompted strong reactions from Radcliffe and Watson.

Daniel Radcliffe speaks out

Daniel Radcliffe was the first of the 'Harry Potter' trio to publicly disagree with JK Rowling's remarks.

In a 2020 statement for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention charity for young LGBTQ+ people, Radcliffe firmly stated, “Transgender women are women.”

While acknowledging Rowling’s significant impact on his life and career, Radcliffe added, “The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing Potter, I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that.”

He later revealed in 2024 that he had not spoken to Rowling in years, sharing, “It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”

Grint and Watson echoed Radcliffe's sentiments in 2020, standing in solidarity with the transgender community. At that time, Grint issued a statement, per Independent, where he asserted: "I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers."

Emma Watson’s coded response

Emma Watson seemingly took a subtle dig at JK Rowling at the 2022 BAFTAs.

When host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson by saying, “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.”

Watson stepped on stage and declared, “I’m here for all the witches!”

The remark was widely interpreted as a statement of support for trans individuals- and a pointed reference to Rowling.

As per Townhall, following the publication of the Cass report on gender therapy in April 2024, Rowling made it clear she had no intention of reconciling with Radcliffe, Watson, or Grint.

She said on X, "Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."