Knightley unaware of boycott before joining Audible Potter audiobook

Keira Knightley said she was unaware of an ongoing fan-led boycott of the Harry Potter franchise before agreeing to join Audible's full-cast audiobook adaptation, adding that she hopes people with differing views can "find respect." Knightley, who will voice Professor Dolores Umbridge in the seven-part series, made the remarks in a recent interview as debate over the franchise's association with its creator continues.

Knightley said she did not know about the boycott and expressed regret. "I was not aware of that, no. I'm very sorry," she said, adding that society must work out how to "live together" despite differing opinions. The audiobooks are being produced in partnership with the author's Pottermore Publishing and involve more than 200 performers, including established names announced as part of the project.

The controversy stems from public statements the author has made over several years about transgender issues. Critics say those remarks are discriminatory and have called for a boycott of works tied to the author. The dispute intensified in 2020 after the author published a long essay and a series of social media posts that many readers and commentators found offensive...