Lithgow Calls Rowlings Trans Views Ironic at Festival

John Lithgow, cast as Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter television series, described author J.K. Rowling's views on transgender issues as ironic and inexplicable during a public appearance at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on Sunday. The 80-year-old actor, who signed an eight-year contract for the role across all planned seasons premiering in 2027, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Rowling's comments while promoting his new film, the queer family drama Jimpa.

Lithgow emphasized that he takes the subject of transgender rights extremely seriously. He noted that Rowling, whom he has never met, is not involved in the production. "The people who are readapting Harry Potter and turning it into an eight-year-long TV series are remarkable," he said. "These are people I really want to work with." He highlighted the themes in Rowling's books, stating, "J.K. Rowling has created this amazing canon for young people, young kids literature that has jumped into the consciousness of society. Young and old people love Harry Potter and the Harry Potter stories. It's so much about acceptance. It's about good versus evil. It's about kindness versus cruelty."