Bel Powley, who is set to portray Aunt Petunia Dursley in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" television series, has publicly stated her disagreement with author J.K. Rowling's views on gender identity. Powley, in an interview with The Telegraph, expressed that "the trans community deserves safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance."
Despite her differing views on transgender issues, Powley affirmed her admiration for the "Harry Potter" franchise, stating, "I love ‘Harry Potter.’ I grew up with the books."
The new television adaptation is slated to premiere on Christmas Day 2026. Powley is joined in the cast by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu will portray Severus Snape, Janet McTeer will be Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost will appear as Hagrid.
Rowling, who is an executive producer on the series, has faced criticism for her public statements and essays regarding transgender people. In May 2025, she penned an essay in response to actors signing an open letter supporting transgender rights after a UK Supreme Court ruling that defined "woman" and "sex" strictly in biological terms. Rowling described the actors, including Paapa Essiedu and Eddie Redmayne, as "back-stabbing colleagues" driven by "fear."
Rowling has also had public disagreements on social media with Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the film adaptations.
Some actors involved with the franchise have defended Rowling, with John Lithgow telling The New Yorker Radio Hour that Rowling's views have been "twisted and misrepresented." Lithgow, who is playing Dumbledore in the new series, acknowledged that he "does disagree with much of" Rowling's beliefs but felt the reasons to participate in the show outweighed the reasons to protest her past statements. He also revealed he was advised to step away from the series but chose not to.
HBO has not yet released a specific premiere date for the series beyond its Christmas Day 2026 debut. The show will stream on HBO Max.