John Lithgow Addresses Backlash Over Harry Potter Reboot Role Amid J.K. Rowling Controversy

Veteran actor John Lithgow has expressed surprise at the backlash he received following his casting as Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" television reboot. The controversy stems from series creator J.K. Rowling's widely criticized statements regarding transgender people.

In recent comments, Lithgow revealed he was caught off guard by the negative reaction, describing a friend's response as a "canary in the coal mine" that alerted him to the brewing controversy. "I absolutely didn't expect any backlash," Lithgow stated, seemingly perplexed by the connection between his casting and Rowling's controversial views.

Despite calls to boycott the new series due to Rowling's involvement as executive producer, Lithgow maintained that the author's stance on transgender issues did not factor into his decision to accept the role. "Why is this a factor at all?" he questioned, making it clear he has no intention of reconsidering his participation in the project.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tension surrounding the Harry Potter franchise, as several stars from the original films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have previously distanced themselves from Rowling's comments on transgender issues.