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All The Celebrities Who ‘Refuse To Touch’ Harry Potter TV Reboot
There are several celebrities who are refusing to be involved with the Harry Potter TV reboot.
The upcoming Harry Potter television reboot, set for a 2027 release, has generated significant buzz, but not all of it is positive.
Despite Warner Bros. announcing a fresh cast including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, several high-profile actors have already made it clear they won’t be involved.
This decision by some celebrities to avoid the series stems primarily from its association with J.K. Rowling, whose controversial remarks about transgender issues have sparked ongoing backlash.
Following a recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling allowing for transgender women to be excluded from the legal definition of ‘woman’ under the Equality Act, the cultural debate has reignited.
Rowling publicly celebrated the ruling, which further alienated her from critics and several former Harry Potter stars.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe, the original film series’ Harry Potter, was one of the first to separate himself from the reboot.
The actor has long expressed support for the transgender community and publicly disagreed with Rowling’s views.
Responding to the author’s accusation that he was ‘cosying up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights,’ Radcliffe said: “It makes me really sad, ultimately,” reflecting on the contrast between the author he once admired and the controversy that surrounds her today.
When asked about returning for the new series, he told E! News: “I don’t think so; I think they very wisely want to [get] a clean break.”
Nicola Coughlan
Nicola Coughlan, best known for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, also spoke out against the reboot.
After Rowling’s response to the court ruling, Coughlan posted on Instagram: “Keep your new Harry Potter, lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole.”
In addition, she raised over £100,000 for the trans charity Not A Phase, expressing outrage at the ruling and its implications for trans rights.
Bowen Yang
Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang is another actor who has distanced himself. In a blunt social media post following the ruling, he said: “A big f**k you to JK Rowling.”
Yang, who is openly gay, has previously spoken about the harm he endured from conversion therapy and has remained a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Jared Harris
Even Jared Harris, son of the late Richard Harris (the original Dumbledore), declined any involvement.
When asked if he would take on his father’s iconic role, Harris simply said: “No, thank you.”
In a conversation with The Independent, he questioned the necessity of the reboot: “The films were fantastic – leave them alone.”
While HBO remains committed to the project and defends Rowling’s involvement, saying to Variety: “JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views.”
The controversy underscores the ongoing divide between the creator and some of the franchise’s former stars and fans.
For many actors, the decision to step away isn’t just professional – it’s deeply personal and political, too.
Related Article: Harry Potter Fans Horrified After Seeing Actor’s Manhood In Explicit New TV Show
Related Article: John Lithgow Confirms He’s Playing Dumbledore In Harry Potter TV Series
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