Several “Harry Potter” actors have signed an open letter pledging to stand in “solidarity” with the transgender community – even despite author J.K. Rowling’s outspoken and “anti-woke” stance against those individuals.
The pledge, which has been signed by Eddie Redmayne, Paapa Essiedu and Katie Leung, comes after the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled earlier this month that the terms “woman” and “sex” refer strictly to a biological woman and biological sex, per the Times of London.
Redmayne, 43, starred in the “Harry Potter” spin-off prequel franchise “Fantastic Beasts,” while Essiedu, 34, is set to portray Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series. Leung, 37, played Cho Chang in the original “Harry Potter” films.
“We the undersigned film and television professionals stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling on April 16,” the open letter read.
“We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK,” it continued. “Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds.
“This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history,” Redmayne, Essiedu, Leung and the more than 2,000 other signatories added.
Other British actors who signed the open letter expressing support for the “trans, non-binary and intersex communities” after the Supreme Court’s surprising ruling include “The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey, “The Brutalist” actor Joe Alwyn and “Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan.
Charlotte Ritchie, who appeared as a student in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” and Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry of Magic elevator, also added their names to the pledge.
The letter comes after Rowling, a longtime and outspoken critic of transgender rights, celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling on social media.
“Think I might be having a cigar later,” Rowling, 59, wrote on X after the ruling was officially handed down on April 16.
“It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” she added in another tweet. “I’m so proud to know you.”
The controversial “Harry Potter” author returned to X later that day to share a picture of herself having a drink and smoking a cigar.
“I love it when a plan comes together,” she tweeted, adding hashtags for the Supreme Court and Women’s Rights.
Actor John Lithgow, who is set to star as Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series, has also been dragged into the controversy surrounding Rowling’s “anti-woke” stance against the trans community.
In an interview with the Times of London published on Sunday, Lithgow addressed the major backlash he has already received for joining HBO’s “Harry Potter” series amid its original creator’s divisive rhetoric.
“I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,” the “Conclave” actor said. “I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.”
Before Redmayne, Essiedu and Leung signed the open letter, “Harry Potter” stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson spoke out to publicly disagree with Rowling in 2020.
“Transgender women are women,” Radcliffe, 35, said in a statement at the time.
“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” Watson, 35, later added.