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The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
Jonathan Wright

John Lithgow Defended His Right to Play Dumbledore. Now His Past Co-Star Is Sharing Their Upset Over It

John Lithgow JK Rowling Aud MasonHyde Harry Potter HBO

Given how the name of its creator, J.K. Rowling, is synonymous with controversy these days, any actor who signs on to play a Harry Potter character in the upcoming live-action HBO adaptation probably expects some measure of backlash.

J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans views have turned her Wizarding World into a political minefield, whether we’re talking about Avalanche’s Hogwarts Legacy game—which was subjected to extensive boycotting campaigns—or HBO’s latest attempt to remake the series for television.

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