Harry Potter’s Bel Powley disagrees with JK Rowling’s views

Powley, 34, who will play Petunia Dursley in the upcoming HBO Max television adaptation of the Harry Potter series, said she “strongly disagrees” with Ms Rowling’s beliefs.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Ms Powley said: “The trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.”

“I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender,” says Bel Powley, who will be playing Petunia Dursley (Harry Potter’s Muggle aunt) in HBO’s forthcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books.

“I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and… pic.twitter.com/NzHWpjiM90

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 10, 2026

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Ms Rowling has faced ongoing criticism for her statements on biological sex, which she believes is real and immutable.

She has denied being transphobic, saying she respects “every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.”

Despite her disagreement with the author’s views, Ms Powley described herself as a huge fan of the book series.

She said: “I love Harry Potter.

“I grew up with the books.

“I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.”

Bel Powley plays Petunia Dursley in the new HBO Max Harry Potter series. (Image: Aidan Monaghan/HBO Max/PA Wire)

Other cast members from the original film series have also publicly disagreed with Ms Rowling’s views, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

Mr Radcliffe has said “trans women are women,” while Ms Watson has called for respect and acceptance for transgender people.

Some, however, have spoken out in support of the author, including Ralph Fiennes, who said the abuse directed at her is “disgusting” and “appalling.”

When does the new Harry Potter TV series start?

The new HBO Max television adaptation of Harry Potter will premiere on December 25.

Along with Powley, the cast of the new TV series will include:

• Harry Potter  – Dominic McLaughlin
• Ron Weasley  – Alastair Stout
• Hermione Granger  – Arabella Stanton
• Albus Dumbledore  – John Lithgow
• Severus Snape  – Paapa Essiedu
• Minerva McGonagall  – Janet McTeer
• Rubeus Hagrid  – Nick Frost
• Draco Malfoy  – Lox Pratt
• Dudley Dursley  – Amos Kitson
• Vernon Dursley  – Daniel Rigby
• Garrick Ollivander  – Anton Lesser
• Argus Filch  – Paul Whitehouse
• Quirinus Quirrell  – Luke Thallon
• Molly Weasley  – Katherine Parkinson
• Cornelius Fudge — Bertie Carvel
• Neville Longbottom — Rory Wilmot
• Ginny Weasley — Gracie Cochrane
• Fred Weasley — Tristan Harland
• George Weasley — Gabriel Harland
• Percy Weasley — Ruari Spooner
• Filius Flitwick — Warwick Davis
• Pomona Sprout — Sirine Saba

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