Several prominent television directors have publicly declined opportunities to work on HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series adaptation, citing concerns about author J.K. Rowling’s statements regarding transgender rights. Ally Pankiw, known for her work on “Black Mirror” and “The Great,” shared a text exchange on Instagram in which she rejected the project. When asked about the possibility, Pankiw responded negatively, later commenting that turning down the opportunity to support transphobia was straightforward.
Pankiw is not alone in her decision. Kate Herron, who directed episodes of Marvel’s “Loki” and Netflix’s “Sex Education,” revealed she had been approached twice about the project and declined both times. In her response to Pankiw’s post, Herron expressed solidarity with the Canadian filmmaker’s stance on the matter.
Despite these rejections from high-profile directors, HBO’s casting process continues to move forward. The network has assembled a substantial ensemble cast including Nicholas Hoult, John Lithgow, and Nick Frost. Notably, some cast members have also expressed disagreement with Rowling’s positions on gender issues. The series is scheduled to premiere on December 25 on HBO and HBO Max, with plans already in place for a second season based on the second novel in the series.
Originally reported by Variety →
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