Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been hit by accusations of transphobia for seven years and has associated herself with the acronym ‘TERF’ for the past five years.
Her highly controversial views, which have resurged again after last week’s Supreme Court gender ruling, have prompted many of the stars who acquired fame and fortune through the Harry Potter franchise to either support or condemn her.
Leading actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all famously distanced themselves from Rowling and spoke out in support of the transgender community and gender ideology amid a storm of backlash against the author in 2020.
Hitting back at accusations he was ungrateful for his success, Radcliffe insisted he doesn’t owe her ‘the things he truly believes’, while Watson said transgender people deserved to ‘live their lives without being constantly questioned, with Grint also echoing her sentiments.
But other stars have expressed their horror over Rowling’s treatment, with Robbie Coltrane insisting nothing she said was ‘offensive’ in 2020, while Ralph Fiennes said he couldn’t understand the ‘vitriol’ directed at her in 2021, and in 2022, Helena Bonham Carter argued Rowling had been ‘hounded’ and was entitled to her opinion.
Many have refused to be drawn and have remained on the fence or stayed silent, with Jason Isaacs disagreeing with Rowling’s views while also praising her charity work, while Evanna Lynch urged people to give the author ‘more grace’.
This week, Sean Biggerstaff – who played Gryffindor Quidditch captain in three movies – was the latest star to slam Rowling as he branded her a ‘bigot’ and compared her to Andrew Tate after her support of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
His Twitter tirade was prompted by justices in London ruling last week that in the 2010 Equality Act, the definition of the term ‘women’ relates only to biological women, with Rowling reportedly helping fund the campaign group which brought the case.
Biggerstaff is an outspoken critic of Rowling online, yet continues his active involvement in the wider Harry Potter universe which she created, continuing to cash in on appearances at Comic Con and other conventions.
And he is not the only Harry Potter star who has forthrightly opposed Rowling yet continued to support the very project which she created. Here is the full list:
Harry Potter has been at the centre of a media storm over JK Rowling ‘s highly controversial TERF views, which have resurged again after the Supreme Court ruling
After a string of comments ranging back to 2018, Rowling, 59, has now caused a stir by celebrating the Supreme Court ‘s judgment that trans women are not legally women
RUPERT GRINT: RON WEASLEY
Appearances in Harry Potter: All eight movies
Along with Watson and Radcliffe, Grint has historically waded into the transphobia row after Rowling took issue with an article which referenced ‘people who menstruate’
Along with his co-stars Radcliffe and Watson, Grint, 36, has previously waded into the transphobia row surrounding Rowling after she took issue with an online article.
Back in 2020, Rowling sparked outrage online after she took issue with an article which referenced ‘people who menstruate’ and shared a robust response on X.
She tweeted to her 14.5m followers at the time: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’ earning her the label of trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF).
Rowling then penned an essay to address the controversy, revealing she was sexually assaulted in her 20s and saying she still feels the scars of ‘domestic violence’ in her first marriage.
Amid the online row, Grint spoke out in support of the transgender community as he made it clear he did not agree with Rowling’s trans-exclusionary language.
Speaking to The Times, Rupert said: ‘I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.
‘Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement.’
Rowling has since taken repeated jibes at Harry Potter’s three leading stars insisting she would never forgive the trio after they spoke out in opposition of her.
In 2020, Rowling sparked outrage after she took issue with an article which referenced ‘people who menstruate’ and shared a robust response on X, with Grint disagreeing with her stance
She recently appeared to take a swipe at them when she posted a response to another user who asked: ‘What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?’
Rowling wrote: ‘Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.’
In April last year, she indicated she would not forgive Radcliffe nor Watson as she criticised celebrities she said had ‘cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights’.
She hit out at stars accused of using their ‘platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors’ after the release of the long-awaited Cass report into gender treatment in the UK.
That government-commissioned study deemed there to be ‘remarkably weak evidence’ for gender-affirming techniques in children such as puberty blockers.
When one fan said they were ‘just waiting for Dan and Emma [Watson]’ to offer a ‘very public apology’ knowing they’d be safe in the knowledge the author would forgive them, Rowling wrote: ‘Not safe I’m afraid.
‘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.’
Neither Grint, Watson nor Radcliffe have yet spoken out following Rowling’s support for the Supreme Court ruling.
Despite distancing himself from Rowling, Grint has continued to associate with the wider Harry Potter universe, attending conventions, much to the delight of fans.
Despite distancing himself from Rowling, Grint has continued to associate with the wider Harry Potter universe, attending conventions, including the 2024 London Film and Comic Con
He has attended conventions as recently as November 2024, when he made an appearance at Liverpool Comic Con 2024 on November 9
He has attended conventions as recently as November 2024, when he made an appearance at Liverpool Comic Con 2024 on November 9.
The actor was photographed laughing and chatting with Harry Potter fans, with his schedule including photo sessions both individually and with his on-screen Weasley family members.
Grint also attended the 2024 London Film and Comic Con in July of that year, as well as jetting over to Paris in March 2024 for an event called Enter The Wizard World.
At the time of Enter The Wizard World, Grint faced wrath from fans after it emerged tickets started at £101, with a selfie with the actor costing an extra £111.
He also offered a small group – limited to 30 people – the chance to spend half an hour chatting with him, but that privilege cost a staggering £298 per person.
He had previously remained mostly absent from major fan conventions in the year before, only appearing at German Comic Con in Dortmund in December 2022.
Grint is the most involved with the Harry Potter universe out of the leading trio, as Radcliffe and Watson notably do not cash in on such events.
Watson has not made recent appearances at any fan conventions, while Radcliffe’s last known appearance was way back in 2022 at New York Comic Con – his only one in recent years.
Though a semi-regular in the past, it is not believed that Grint has yet signed up for any upcoming conventions, with no pending appearances currently featuring on his online schedule.
Grint is the most involved with the Harry Potter universe out of the leading trio, as Radcliffe and Watson notably do not cash in on such events, not attending fan conventions
BONNIE WRIGHT: GINNY WEASLEY
Appearances in Harry Potter: All eight movies
Bonnie Wright, who played Harry Potter’s love interest Ginny Weasley, weighed in after Rowling’s 2020 essay which she published after implying only women can menstruate
Though she did not name Rowling, she made her position clear as she tweeted ‘transwomen are women’
Bonnie Wright joined many of her co-stars in weighing in after Rowling’s 2020 essay which she published after implying only women can menstruate in comments which were deemed trans-exclusionary.
Wright, who played Harry Potter’s love interest Ginny Weasley, took to social media just hours after the uproar to clarify her position on the controversy.
Though she did not name Rowling, she made her position clear as she tweeted ‘transwomen are women’.
She penned: ‘If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question.
‘Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x.’
After she was hit by much backlash from Rowling’s supporters, who accused her of biting the hand that feeds her, Wright later said she wouldn’t comment on the topic again.
‘I made that comment then and I still stand with that same feeling, but it’s got to the point where I prefer not to comment more,’ she told The Sunday Times.
‘It’s a subject outside of my input.’
Wright has an active involvement in the Harry Potter universe and is often seen with her on-screen siblings James and Oliver Phelps, who played Fred and George Weasley, respectively (all pictured with Evanna Lynch in 2019)
She appeared with the twin brothers at MegaCon Orlando 2025 in Florida on February 9, where they all took to the stage to answer questions about the wizarding world
Last year, Wright (pictured with Kierra Lewis) led the Back to Hogwarts celebrations in New York, where fans gather to mark when the Hogwarts Express would collect students
Wright has continued to have an active involvement in the Harry Potter universe and is often seen with her on-screen siblings James and Oliver Phelps, who played Fred and George Weasley, respectively.
She appeared with the twin brothers at MegaCon Orlando 2025 in Florida on February 9, where they all took to the stage to answer questions about the wizarding world.
Wright also recently appeared at a Fan Expo in Vancouver on February 21, just months after her appearance at the German Film and Comic Con in Dortmund on December 7, 2024.
Within the space of five months from June until November 2024, Wright attended a staggering seven conventions all around the globe including in Toulouse, Salt Lake City, Portland and Niagara Falls.
Last year, Wright led the Back to Hogwarts celebrations in New York, where fans gather to mark when the Hogwarts Express would take students to the magic school for the start of the year every September.
With the celebrations led by TikToker and superfan Kierra Lewis at Grand Central Terminal, Wright made a special appearance as the countdown until the train’s departure.
With no signs of slowing down, Wright will also be appearing at Bell County’s Comic Con in Belton on August 2 and Arkansas Comic Con on September 12.
KATIE LEUNG: CHO CHANG
Appearances in Harry Potter: Three movies – The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Katie Leung, best known for playing Cho Chang in Harry Potter, weighed in on the backlash after Rowling was accused of being transphobic in 2020, which she denied
Katie Leung, best known for playing Cho Chang in Harry Potter, weighed in on the backlash after Rowling was accused of being transphobic in 2020, which she denied.
After the billionaire author’s tweet hitting back at an article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’, Leung, 37, spoke up in support of LGBTQ+ people.
The Scottish actress, whose parents are originally from Hong Kong, played Asian witch Cho – a character Rowling has been slammed for in the past for the way she wrote her.
After the Harry Potter stars were urged to address the controversy, Katie took to Twitter – formerly known as X – to post: ‘So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes… (thread)’
She then shared tweets linking to petitions and campaigns supporting black LGBT people, adding the hashtag #AsiansForBlackLives, shifting the matter back to the global outrage following the death of American civilian George Floyd at that hands of the police.
It was not clear whether her posts were a direct response to the criticism Rowling faced, but Leung made sure to use her platform to encourage trans rights and fight against racism.
In recent years, Leung has continued to appear at Harry Potter conventions, most recently joining Tom Felton in appearing at German Potter Con on April 19.
She also appeared at another edition of the same event in September 2024, as well as joining her co-stars at the Comic, Film and Manga Festival in July 2023.
And she has plans to attend yet another convention in a matter of weeks in May, where she is slated to appear at Brussels’ Comic Con.
In recent years, Leung has continued to appear at Harry Potter conventions, most recently joining Tom Felton in appearing at German Potter Con on April 19
After the billionaire author’s tweet hitting back at an article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’, Leung, 37, spoke up in support of LGBTQ+ people, though didn’t
CHRIS RANKIN: PERCY WEASLEY
Appearances in Harry Potter: Six movies – The Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Order of the Phoenix, The Deathly Hallows’ Parts 1 and 2
Chris Rankin was one of the first of the film franchise’s stars to speak up against Rowling and in support of the transgender community (he is pictured with Daniel Radcliffe and Katie Leung)
Chris Rankin was one of the first of the film franchise’s stars to speak up against Rowling and in support of the transgender community.
The actor, who played Ron’s older brother Percy, showed his support for the LGBTQ+ community as he urged them to be ‘proud’ of who they are.
He tweeted: ‘My beautiful, brave, strong, trans friends and house of #ChrisNess [referring to a queer youth network he founded] family. We love you. I can’t say it enough.
‘You’re wonderful and deserve to be treated as such. Please know that. Be proud of who you are, we are proud of you.’
Rankin’s X account is now private, but he also spoke up in support of the transgender community again in 2021 in further impassioned comments.
‘A lot of my family are members of the community. You can probably guess where my allegiances lie in that respect,’ he said.
‘When a trans person says they are male or female, that is what they are and that is how we should treat them. It is damaging to them to say otherwise.’
Described on his website as a ‘vocal ally to the LGBTQ+ community’, Rankin has hosted at Pride Cymru on multiple occasions.
He has also formed the House of ChrisNess – a virtual community which helps to raise money for LGTBQ+ charities.
Rankin has also continued to have active involvement in the Harry Potter universe since rising to fame on the films at the age of 16 and playing the role for 11 years.
He attended six conventions throughout 2024, including Liverpool Comic Con in November, Comic Con Mania in Derby, Leaky Con Portland in July and March’s Carlisle Comic Con.
Rankin also visited Ironton Wizardfest in November 2023 and is slated to appear at London Film and Comic Con in July, featuring in its promotional material.
Rankin has also continued to have active involvement in the Harry Potter universe and is slated to appear at London Film and Comic Con in July, featuring in its promotional material
SEAN BIGGERSTAFF: OLIVER WOOD
Appearances in Harry Potter: Three movies – The Philosopher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets – and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (uncredited cameo)
Sean Biggerstaff appeared in the first two Harry Potter movies – The Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets – and returned for an uncredited cameo in the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Sean Biggerstaff has savaged JK Rowling on social media, calling her an ‘obsessed billionaire’ and ‘bigoted’ for her views on transgender rights.
The most recent incident of a cast member speaking out, Biggerstaff – who played Oliver Wood – passionately condemned Rowling over her celebrations after the Supreme Court ruling.
Biggerstaff showed his solidarity with the wizarding franchise’s leading stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who have all spoken out against Rowling.
In his diatribe against Rowling, Biggerstaff responded to her controversial post about the Supreme Court ruling, in which she raised her glass and smoked a cigar on her $150million superyacht in celebration.
After the billionaire author was hit by accusations she was ‘smoking a blunt’, she hit back on social media, clarifying that it was ‘objectively, provably and demonstratively a cigar’.
Responding to her post, Biggerstaff claimed she had no sense of humour about the comments, writing: ‘Bigotry rots the wit.’
He also showed his support for one person who compared her to Andrew Tate for puffing on a cigar, much like he does in his own videos, which many argue stir violence against women.
The tweet read: ‘lol, huffing on a cigar now? Is she Andrew Tate?’ with Biggerstaff simply re-posting the words to his own profile.
Rowling also shared a picture of Susan Smith and Marion Calder, co-directors of For Women Scotland, celebrating the ruling and told people not to ‘f**k with Scottish women’.
The most recent diatribe against Rowling, Biggerstaff responded to her controversial post about the Supreme Court ruling, in which she raised her glass and smoked a cigar on her yacht
He slammed Rowling for sharing a picture of Susan Smith and Marion Calder, co-directors of For Women Scotland, celebrating the ruling and told people not to ‘f**k with Scottish women’
He also showed solidarity with the leading Harry Potter trio as he slammed one user who referred to Radcliffe, Watson and Grint as ‘disloyal bags of s**t’ for speaking out
Biggerstaff additionally rubbished accusations that billionaire Rowling – who is currently having her Harry Potter books adapted into a new TV series – was ‘cast out’ for her views
However, Scotsman Biggerstaff clapped back with: ‘The majority of Scottish women, who don’t agree with these d**kheads, aren’t being bankrolled by an obsessed billionaire,’ referencing reports that Rowling helped fund the case.
He also showed solidarity with the leading Harry Potter trio as he slammed one user who referred to Radcliffe, Watson and Grint as ‘disloyal bags of s**t’ for speaking out against Rowling, asking how they are doing today.
In response, an unimpressed Biggerstaff said: ‘You don’t have to wonder. You know what they’re doing – leading happy and successful lives, having not driven their families away with their hateful obsessions.’
Biggerstaff additionally rubbished accusations that billionaire Rowling – who is currently having her Harry Potter books adapted into a new TV series – was ‘cast out’ and ‘smeared’ for her views.
Responding to one post, Biggerstaff quipped: ‘Christ, if that’s what being cast out looks like I’ll take some,’ referring to her net worth of approximately £1billion.
Biggerstaff shared further general posts defending the transgender community as he shared his opposition to the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that the ‘loudest voices’ were ‘using concern for sex-based rights as cover for entirely reactionary politics’.
‘Today is just a torrent of people being willfully simple-minded. A performance of pragmatism to cloak their instinctive distaste for the Other,’ he added in another post.
Though distancing himself from Rowling herself, Biggerstaff remains involved with the wider Harry Potter universe and often attends fan conventions, doing so as recently as February of this year.
He frequently attends conventions and meet and greets with fans, appearing at a signing at the Gibert-Joseph bookstore in France as recently as February 2025.
Biggerstaff also attended another meet and greet in Italy in December 2024 and appeared at the New England WizardFest & Magic Convention in Boxborough in August 2023.
Biggerstaff will next be appearing at Em-Con Nottingham 2025 in June of this year as he continues to embrace his role as the beloved Gryffindor Quidditch captain.
Though distancing himself from Rowling, Biggerstaff remains involved with Harry Potter and often attends fan conventions, doing so as recently as February of this year (pictured)
TOM FELTON: DRACO MALFOY
Appearances in Harry Potter: All eight movies
Tom Felton famously took on the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter universe and has become a fan favourite ever since, frequently appearing at fan conventions
Tom Felton famously took on the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter universe and has become a fan favourite ever since, frequently appearing at fan conventions and sharing themed videos to social media.
Though he has not spoken out in direct opposition of Rowling and has insisted he wouldn’t shun her, he has also spoken out in support of human rights and somewhat distanced himself from her.
The actor, 37, steered away from condemning Rowling but insisted he was ‘pro-love’ when asked about her comments in a 2022 interview after she came under fire from LGBTQ+ activists.
Speaking to The Independent, he batted off questioning as he said: ‘First of all, I don’t know enough about the specifics of what anyone said. My dog takes up far too much time for me to go into such matters.
‘I mean, the obvious things to say are that I’m pro-choice, pro-discussion, pro-human rights across the board, and pro-love. And anything that is not those things, I don’t really have much time for.’
However, he went on to distance himself and the Harry Potter films from Rowling herself, insisting she wasn’t part of the production process as much as people believe.
He added: ‘It is also a reminder that as much as Jo is the founder of [these] stories, she wasn’t part of the filmmaking process as much as some people might think. I think I only recall seeing her once or twice on set.’
Back in 2020, Felton appeared to avoid picking a side while speaking with BBC Radio 4 as he said he is ‘very grateful’ to Rowling for launching his career.
Felton continues to be very actively involved in the Harry Potter universe and is a regular at Comic Con. He is pictured at the 2023 German Film and Comic Con Winter Edition
He has not commented on the uproar following the Supreme Court ruling, and remained mum on the topic when he shared a Harry Potter themed post this week
He said: ‘I am quick to remind myself and others that Potter for some reason has brought more people together across the world and more generations than probably anything else has in the past 20 years and I’m quick to celebrate that. It came from one person and that’s her so I’m very grateful.’
Felton continues to be very actively involved in the Harry Potter universe and is a regular at Comic Con and other annual fan events.
He has not commented on the uproar following the Supreme Court ruling, and remained mum on the topic when he shared a Harry Potter themed post this week.
Refusing to be drawn in, he took to Instagram on Monday night to share a photograph of himself posing beside a Platform 9 3/4 sign, referencing the famed train platform.
Felton also held up a wanted sign around his face which read: ‘Have you seen this wizard?’ while sporting a green jumper featuring the Slytherin snake emblem.
As well as his wizarding displays on social media, Felton appeared at the German Potter Con in Bad Honnigen as recently as April 19, 2025, just days after the ruling was passed.
He also attended Paris’ Enter The Wizard World event in November and appeared at both Rotterdam’s and Paris’ Comic, Film and Manga Festivals, both held in March 2024.
Felton also jetted to Dortmund in December 2023 for the German Film and Comic Con, while he has also appeared at other global events including in Chicago, Moscow, Toulouse and Stockholm.
Felton has no upcoming plans for conventions as of yet, but frequently collaborates with his on-screen father Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, as the pair often share humorous videos together, including the 2020 #PottahChallenge on TikTok.
