John Lithgow's Jimpa co-star finds his involvement in the Harry Potter TV series "vaguely hurtful".
The 80-year-old actor will play Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved book series and Aud Mason-Hyde, who plays the screen veteran's non-binary grandchild in the queer family drama, admitted they find it "disconcerting" that John accepted the role, despite the criticism the author has faced for her comments about trans people.
Aud told Out magazine: "It was definitely a difficult moment in time.
"I don't think it's worth speaking to John's reasoning by any means, but I do also think that it's a strange decision, for sure. And also I found it disconcerting, maybe, is the right word."
Aud found John - who plays a university professor and gay activist in Jimpa - to be "in some capacity a mentor" so found The Crown star's career decision even more confusing.
They added: "He is such an incredibly talented actor, but also such a beautiful human to make work with, and that was my experience with John.
"I never felt invalidated or questioned or doubted in my identity or in my transness by him. I consistently felt that he was a very loving and a very guiding co-star.
"And so there's an element of this that feels vaguely hurtful."
John previously stressed that he has never met Rowling, but finds her stance "ironic and inexplicable" because of the messages of inclusivity in Harry Potter.
John said at a screening of Jimpa at the Rotterdam Film Festival: "I take this subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It's about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I've never met her, she's not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable."
The Conclave star explained that he was told to "walk away from the job" by others because of the show's association with Rowling.
He said: "It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this. But in Potter canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She's written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.
"It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that."
