J.K. Rowling is fairly involved in Harry Potter TV series after anti-trans controversies

“Harry Potter” author J.K.Rowling is playing a part in the making of the upcoming HBO series based on the fantasy books — despite her history of anti-transgender rhetoric.

HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed at a press event Tuesday that while Rowling, 59, is an executive producer on the show, her controversies have not affected the development process.“She’s been fairly involved — she was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,” Bloys told reporters at the London West Hollywood hotel in Los Angeles.“I imagine she’ll have opinions on casting,” Bloys continued.“It hasn’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff or anything, so we haven’t felt any impact from that.”Rowling has been open about her views on the transgender community.

Her controversial comments, most of which have been made on social media, have even prompted “Harry Potter” movie stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to publicly disagree.After a new hate crime law — banning hatred on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity — began in her native Scotland, Rowling taunted Scottish police to try to arrest her for misgendering people.Despite her views, Rowling is among the crop of people executive-producing HBO’s television adaptation of her famous book series.The show is helmed by “Succession” producers Francesca Gardiner (who will write and executive produce) and Mark Mylod (also a “Game of Thrones” alum, who will executive produce and direct several episodes). In June, Rowling revealed that she consulted with Gardiner and Mylod about the show and read the first script.“I’m certain the TV show will more than live up to expectations,” she shared on X.At Tuesday’s press event, Bloys said he thinks the series will be ready to premiere in 2027, four years after it was initially announced.Bloys also addressed how the making of the show will work with a ...