Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | August 14, 2026
A number of folks have signed onto HBO’s Harry Potter series, and each time it happens, it seems to set off another chorus of disappointed groans, though that backlash has not — so far — prompted anyone to leave (John Lithgow reportedly strongly considered it). That said, many in the cast have at least attempted to separate their beliefs from the transphobic ones of JK Rowling, including Lithgow, Bel Powley, Nick Frost, and most forcefully, Paapa Essiedu, who signed an open letter supporting trans rights in Britain last year.
Up until now, we haven’t heard from anyone who publicly rebuffed an offer to appear in the series, though a couple have theoretically said they wouldn’t participate: Jared Harris and Nicola Coughlan, though they were never officially offered roles.
However, THR reports that two directors were asked to participate in the series, and both were adamant in their rejections. Ally Pankiw (Black Mirror, Ponies), in fact, took to social media to share a text message with her agent, who asked if she was interested in directing any episodes of the series.
So, that’s a no.
Director Kate Herron (Loki, Doctor Who) wrote in the comments that she, too, had declined. “Yeah thank you exactly! Respect and love to you Ally. They’ve asked me twice and I’ve had to explain my answer is never gonna change from a no.”
So it is possible!
It’s worth noting that in that same comment section, Darren Sangita wrote, “This morning I felt sick to my stomach as I learned a mutual that i spent 3 years on set with said ‘yes’ … And has been thankfully offset by learning you and others actually have what it takes to stand for Human Rights.” Sangita was a music producer and visual artist on Hulu’s The Great, which ran for three seasons and starred Nicholas Hoult, who accepted a role on the series this week.
