HBO Does Not Want to Talk about J.K. Rowling

By Allyson Johnson | TV | April 12, 2023 |

By Allyson Johnson | TV | April 12, 2023 |

In an effort to upset everyone but J.K. Rowling’s army of fascist TERF’s who deserve our undivided ridicule, Warner Bros. Discovery announced in a presentation that they will be creating a Harry Potter television series. Set to release their new service, Max, the studio further showed their disinterest in general human courtesy with the announcement of Rowling being one of the executive producers, lest we strain to try and separate the creator from the creation.

Following a question regarding this decision and if it will impact signing on talent for the series, HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys responded by saying:

“No, I don’t think this is the forum,” Bloys said. “That’s a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated, and not something we’re going to get into…Our priority is what’s on the screen,” Bloys continued. “Obviously, the ‘Harry Potter’ story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.”

To those who aren’t “very online” this isn’t a nuanced or complicated conversation to have. Rowling is a ruthless bigot who has weaponized her fame and social standing to punch down and dehumanize a marginalized group of people who already face hatred and violence to being stripped of bodily autonomy from the government, and denial of their self-expression and identified gender. Trans men are men, trans women are women. Yet Bloys couldn’t muster up enough of a spine to say so.

Instead, we’re once again sold the idea of the Harry Potter story being one of love, acceptance, and defiance. It was once, maybe, and once there might’ve been excitement at a television series being produced, in particular, if it opened up a conversation regarding more inclusive casting measures. Now it only manages to confirm that Rowling didn’t understand or believe in the story she was telling all while putting more money into the pockets of a spokesperson enabling a hate group.

Time will tell if actors turn a blind eye to Rowling’s public stance for a paycheck. There are so many wonderful fantasy series that are deserving of this type of long-form adaptation from Percy Jackson and Chaos Walking to the more recent series such as Gideon the Ninth or even this year’s The Buried and the Bound. To love Harry Potter in 2023 and to allow it to define your personality or shoulder your branding is embarrassing, just like the author herself.

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