J.K. Rowling reveals true extent of her role in new Harry Potter - as fans raise their biggest issue with the forthcoming HBO TV series
The upcoming HBO adaptation of the British author's seven-volume fantasy series into a long-form TV show is set to start filming in the UK in less than a month, with Dominic McLaughlin cast for the titular role.
Rowling took to X on Sunday to express her excitement after officially reviewing the scripts for the first two episodes.
"I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series, and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!" the 59-year-old wrote.
However, fans were quick to point out the author's admission meant she had not written the scripts herself despite being an executive producer.
"So you are not doing the writing for this show?" one bemused person commented.
Rowling responded to the fan by saying "no, but" she has "worked closely with the extremely talented writers" of the series.
Although the creator of the novels is one of the executive producers for the new show, she was not brought on as a full-time screenwriter.
Rowling still retains creative control over any exploitation of her work and has agreements in place with Warner Bros, which grant her some creative oversight and influence over the making of the long-form series.
Meanwhile, fans all turned their attention to actor Paapa Essiedu being cast as Severus Snape in the comments of Rowling's new post.
The Hogwarts professor, originally played by Alan Rickman in the films, is a pivotal character in the plot and is widely regarded as a beloved figure.
"Great news. Now, can we get a character-appropriate Snape casting please?" one fan wrote.
"Now just recast Snape, and it will be perfect!" another fan wrote.
"They'll be even better with a different actor playing Snape," one more person wrote.
Another person said the casting seems "too woke", and they'll wait and "see" whether they are a fan of the series.
HBO in April confirmed Essiedu would play Snape in the new Harry Potter, sparking discussion and some controversy among fans early on.
Essiedu will join a star-studded ensemble, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy in the awaited series revamp.
Alastair Stout has been cast as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger.
The latest backlash heaped on Essiedu comes after he joined the original Harry Potter stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, in expressing opposition to Rowling's views on transgender issues.
The actor was one of 400 signatories of an open letter addressed to the film and TV industry bodies in support of the trans community in April.
Nevertheless, HBO chief Casey Bloys last November said Rowling's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff.'
A spokesperson for the network said she "has a right to express her personal views" and the new series will "benefit from her involvement."
Rowling recently celebrated the ruling that only biological women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws in a landmark case.
She has previously mocked the phrase "people who menstruate", said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real", and called a list of trans women "men, every last one of them".
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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'In the pantheon of rock gods': tributes flow for Ozzy
Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. "What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time." Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. "What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time." Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. "What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time." Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. "What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time."
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
'In the pantheon of rock gods': tributes flow for Ozzy
Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. "What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time."
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
It was a groundbreaking crime book – and this TV adaptation is even stranger
Smilla's Sense of Snow ★★★ It's hard to overstate the impact Danish novelist Peter Hoeg had in 1992 with his literary thriller Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow. A crime mystery about an alienated Copenhagen woman who's convinced her neighbour, a young Greenlandic boy, died under suspicious circumstances, it spent months on the bestseller lists and was Time 's Book of the Year. Hoeg unfolded a fantastical conspiracy and a sly reckoning with his homeland's colonial past. It was a groundbreaking book, attuned to today's social and political currents. Hollywood put out a diligent, tidied-up movie adaptation in 1997, with Danish filmmaker Pelle August directing Julia Ormond in the title role, but Hoeg's prose, fluid and evocative, allows for no shortage of interpretations. Hence, this European co-production, a six-part existential thriller that takes more than enough liberties with the source material to sit distinctly aside from the feature film and, sometimes, even the book. A smidgeon of science-fiction, a mass of the metaphysical, Smilla's Sense of Snow is a curious reinvention. The setting remains Copenhagen, but it's now 2040 and the Danish capital is suffering through an energy crisis and constant surveillance; residents get a monthly allotment of power, but it's barely enough unless you can pay for more. The how and why is unclear, but the political chaos is obvious: nationalism and political violence is boiling over amidst an election. For Smilla Jaspersen (Filippa Coster-Waldau), it's a matter of little consequence – the former climate activist lives alone, aligning with her late mother's Inuit heritage over her privileged father's Danish outlook. She uses 'Europeans' as a pejorative phrase. Created by the British filmmaker Amma Asante (Belle) and the British writer Clive Bradley (Trapped), the show is focused on examining truths rather than teasing them out. Smilla's bond with Isaiah (Silver Wolfe), who has come to Copenhagen with his bereft Greenlandic mother after his father's death, is sketched out quickly, in the shadow of the solemn little boy's death after he falls from a rooftop. Smilla, who also grew up in Greenland, can tell from the footprints on the apartment building's roof that something was awry. The swift declaration of an accidental death by the authorities makes her start digging. The narrative is quick to show us that something is amiss, and that the stakes involved have compromised many. Smilla and Isaiah's neighbour, Tunisian political refugee Rahid Youseffi (Elyas M'Barek), quickly goes from helping the boy to spying on Smilla as she starts to reveal information. The schemes that connect Isaiah's past in Greenland to the energy crisis and the election are desperate and often crude. 'We only have 30 good years left,' one plotter, tech mogul Caspen Tork (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), tells the government minister he soon ensnares, Katja Claussen (Amanda Collin). What comes to the fore is Smilla's anguish. Investigating Isaiah's death reawakens her memories of Greenland, tapping into a mystical state that folds together historic visions and contemporary dream states. As with the last season of True Detective, Smilla's Sense of Snow looks at crime through the lens of Indigenous communities and their connection to the land that was long ago taken from them.
