Nicola Coughlan slams JK Rowling’s 'pathetic' reaction to UK trans rights ruling, boycotts Harry Potter

LONDON, UK: 'Bridgerton' actress Nicola Coughlan slammed JK Rowling this week after the 'Harry Potter' author publicly celebrated a controversial UK Supreme Court ruling stating that trans women are not legally recognized as women under certain legal definitions.

Rowling, 59, took to X on April 16 to post a photo of herself smugly smoking a cigar with the caption, “I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”

The message sparked backlash — and Coughlan was one of the first high-profile voices to fire back.

Nicola Coughlan blasts JK Rowling over anti-trans ruling

Coughlan didn’t hold back in her response — she took to her Instagram Story to share a post from The Cut, spotlighting an article titled “This Is a New Low for JK Rowling.” 

Alongside the post, she added her own pointed comment, “Keep your new Harry Potter lads,” the 38-year-old wrote on Instagram, referencing HBO’s upcoming adaptation of Rowling’s books. “Wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole.”

Coughlan expressed her horror at the ruling, announcing a fundraiser for UK-based charity Not A Phase, which supports trans adults. She pledged to match donations up to £10,000 ($13,200) — and within 24 hours, the campaign had topped £100,000 (around $132,655, USD), she confirmed on her Instagram Story on April 18, Friday.  

“To see an already-marginalized community to be further attacked in law is really stomach-turning and disgusting, and these people celebrating it [are] more stomach-turning and disgusting,” she said in a video on Instagram, urging cisgender allies to “speak up and make your voice heard.”

She went on to say that, “If you are a cisgender person who is an ally of a trans person, I think now is the time to just speak up and make your voice heard, and let your trans, nonbinary friends and just the community at large know that you’re there for them and will keep fighting for them.”

In a caption, she added, “Allies of the Trans and Non Binary Community time to come together. Fuck the Supreme Court, fuck the TERFs let’s raise some money.”

This isn’t the first time Rowling’s views on trans issues have drawn fire. Back in 2020, she made a series of remarks many deemed transphobic, prompting widespread condemnation including from 'Harry Potter' stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

Watson previously spoke out on social media, sharing a tweet, “Trans people 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.

She added, another tweet adding, “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”

Internet slams JK Rowling over anti-trans remarks following UK Supreme Court ruling

JK Rowling is once again facing intense backlash online after making comments perceived as anti-trans in response to a recent UK Supreme Court ruling.

Many social media users voiced their disappointment and anger. “You are so pathetic and a living disgrace. It's sad for all the people who grew up with your books and saw you fall to the far right,” one user wrote.

Another added, “You will die alone, unloved, with your legacy destroyed,” while others questioned the values behind her platform, “Being a good writer does not make human values ​​good. You are a demonstration @jk_rowling.”

Some framed her legacy in darker terms, “You will be studied as a Villain in history books.”

Many users expressed solidarity with the trans community, with one comment reading, “Trans women still exist and will continue to exist forever, your precious ruling won't.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.