As many Harry Potter fans boycott the new HBO series over J.K. Rowling‘s aggressive anti-transgender stance, the author is getting her loyalists hyped for the show.
With the latest adaptation of her novels beginning production this summer and premiering in 2026, Rowling teased the first two episodes for her followers after she “worked closely” with the writers’ room of the Warner Bros. Discovery series.
“I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” she wrote on X.
When asked if she’s writing the series, Rowling clarified in a reply, “No, but I’ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers.”
HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys previously addressed Rowling’s ongoing anti-transgender rhetoric and how it will impact the TV adaptation of her seven-book fantasy novel series.
“The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us,” said Bloys on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast. “We’ve been in business for 25 years. We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC.”
He added, “It’s pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She’s entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”
Deadline previously reported Rowling was part of the pitch process for the Warner Bros. Television series, which she will produce through her Brontë Film and TV banner. Bloys confirmed at the time that Rowling “will be involved. She’s an executive producer on the show. Her insights are going to be helpful on that.”
(L-R) Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger, Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley in HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series
HBO
Explaining that the controversy around Rowling’s anti-trans statements is “very nuanced and complicated,” Bloys added: “Our priority is what’s on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.”
After Rowling previously celebrated UK’s Supreme Court ruling that prohibits trans women from being legally recognized as women, more than 400 people signed a letter urging the country’s film and television industry to take action against her on trans rights. One such signatory was Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in Harry Potter as Professor Snape.
