‘Harry Potter’ TV Series Actress Bel Powley “Strongly Disagrees” With J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Views

Bel Powley, who plays Petunia Dursley in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone TV series, is not holding back her thoughts on author J.K. Rowling‘s anti-trans views. “I strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling’s views on gender,” she told The Telegraph. “I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance. But 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.” Rowling has long been outspoken about her views, and has been at odds with many actors in the Harry Potter franchise, such as Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, who have openly opposed her rhetoric. Powley’s Petunia Dursley is Harry’s maternal aunt in the upcoming series. Per the logline: There is nothing special about Harry Potter — at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past. Watch on Deadline The series also stars Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will debut Christmas Day on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max where it’s available, including recent launch markets Germany, Italy, and the UK & Ireland.