Latest news with #J.K.
Buzz Feed
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Harry Potter Actors On JK Rowling Views
J.K. Rowling's views on gender identity haven't just angered fans — they've upset the Harry Potter cast, too. But while some have called out the author's controversial views, others have publicly supported and defended her. Here's where 19 Harry Potter actors stand on J.K. Rowling. Daniel Radcliffe — who famously portrayed the boy who lived — spoke out against J.K. following a series of anti-trans tweets in 2020, saying in a letter to The Trevor Project that "trans women are women." 'Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either [J.K.] or I," he wrote. Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, had "complicated" feelings about J.K. He told the Telegraph, "There's a bunch of stuff about Jo. You know, I play complicated people, I'm interested in complicated people. I don't want to get drawn into the trans issues, talking about them, because it's such an extraordinary minefield. She has her opinions, I have mine. They differ in many different areas." Emma Watson publicly disagreed after J.K. made anti-trans tweets in 2020. "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are," tweeted Emma, who portrayed Hermione Granger. She added, "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are." Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said he has a "tricky" relationship with J.K. While he doesn't share her views, he's appreciative of the role she had in shaping his career. "I am hugely grateful for everything that she's done," he told the Times. "I think that she's extremely talented. I mean, clearly her works are genius. But I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that." Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley, slammed the "damaging" rhetoric in a 2021 interview with the Eastern Daily Press. "I do a lot of work with charities that are LGBTQ+focused," he shared, adding that many of his family members are also LGBTQ+. "It is a huge part of my life and I think, by saying that, you can probably guess where my allegiances lie in that respect." Chris also said, "What is important to highlight is that, when a trans person says they are male or female, that is what they are and that is how we should treat them. It is damaging to them to say otherwise." Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne said he disagrees with J.K.'s beliefs — but he also thinks fans have taken their criticisms too far. He told the Daily Mail that some comments were so "disgusting," he even reached out to J.K. over private DMs. Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort, also couldn't "understand the vitriol" directed at J.K. "J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings," he told the New York Times. "It's about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being." That said, he thought: "The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it's appalling." Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton has said he hasn't really paid attention to the backlash. "The only thing that I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world," he said at this year's Tony Awards. "Here I am in New York — and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. And [J.K. is] responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, didn't see the big deal in J.K.'s comments. "I don't think what she said was offensive really," he told the Radio Times, per the Independent. "I don't know why, but there's a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended. They wouldn't have won the war, would they?" "That's me talking like a grumpy old man," he teased, "but you just think, 'Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight, and carry on.'" Ginny Weasley actor Bonnie Wright made her thoughts clear when she tweeted support for the trans community amid J.K.'s anti-trans tweets. She wrote, "If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question," adding that, "Transwomen are Women." Evanna Lynch, who starred in Harry Potter as Luna Lovegood, has "compassion for both sides of the argument." Speaking with the Telegraph, Evanna explained, "I know what it was like to be a teenager who hated my body so much I wanted to crawl out of my skin, so I have great compassion for trans people and I don't want to add to their pain." At the same time, she wished people would have "more grace" for J.K. and "listen to her," including when sharing "the voices of de-transitioners." In an interview with the Sunday Times, Helena Bonham Carter criticized the public's "horrendous" treatment of J.K. in response to her tweets. "I think she has been hounded," Helena, who played Bellatrix Lestrange, shared. "It's been taken to the extreme, the judgmentalism of people." She argued that J.K. is "allowed her opinion" and stated the cast "should let her have" her thoughts. "But I think they're very aware of protecting their own fanbase and their generation," she added. Jim Broadbent, who portrayed Professor Horace Slughorn, also shared support for J.K. Reacting to the criticism, he told the Telegraph: "It's really sad. I think J.K. Rowling is amazing. I haven't had to confront [the backlash] myself, but I would support her in that, I think, if it came to it." Not only has John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick) defended J.K. — he's also made several anti-trans tweets of his own, prompting widespread backlash, including from Jonathan Van Ness and former Nine Inch Nails creative director Rob Sheridan. After J.K.'s anti-trans tweets, Katie Leung showed support by posting a thread of resources for trans women. Filius Flitwick actor Warwick Davis is "out of touch" with the controversy surrounding J.K. In May, he told Entertainment Weekly: "I don't tend to read the news. It's kind of one of those things I just don't do. So, I'm kind of out of touch with what's going on. It's not really something I'm particularly interested in — producing entertainment is what I do." David Thewlis was also reportedly out of the loop when asked about the controversy in a 2020 interview with the Sunday Times. "I'm not on social media," he allegedly said. Also, "I don't know Jo Rowling – I met her briefly at the premiere – so I don't feel engaged." Harry Melling, who appeared in the movies as Harry's spoiled cousin Dudley Dursley, believes "everybody has the right to choose" who they are and how they want to identify. He told the Independent, "I can only speak for myself, and what I feel, to me, is very simple, which is that transgender women are women and transgender men are men." Finally, David Tennant, who played Barty Crouch Jr., said, "J.K. Rowling is a wonderful author who's created brilliant stories, and I wish her no ill will. But I hope that we can all, as a society, just let people be. Just get out of people's way."
CBS News
20-06-2025
- CBS News
Residents react after armed home invasion at Flamingo Towers in Miami Beach, suspect held without bond
Residents of Flamingo Towers in Miami Beach are expressing fear and frustration following a violent armed home invasion earlier this week. Miami Beach police have arrested 31-year-old Brian Lopez of Hialeah, who is now facing multiple felony charges and is being held without bond. Terrifying attack inside condo Brian Lopez Miami-Dade Corrections According to police, officers were dispatched to Flamingo Towers at 1508 Bay Road on Tuesday, June 17, following reports of an armed robbery. A woman told officers she was headed to the trash chute when a man with a gun forced her back to her unit. Police identified the suspect as Lopez. Once inside the apartment, he allegedly threatened the woman, a resident identified in the arrest report as J.K., and a guest. "Initially, J.K. resisted the defendant's commands and refused to get on the ground. The defendant then pistol whipped J.K. by striking him on the top of his head, causing a minor laceration," the arrest report stated. Investigators said Lopez forced J.K. to transfer $1,500 via Zelle and took one of their cellphones. He then ordered the victims to take him to their vehicle. As they reached the lobby, J.K. screamed for help and Lopez fled, according to police. He was arrested shortly after. Earlier burglary in the same building During the investigation, officers discovered that Lopez had allegedly committed an armed burglary earlier that same day inside the building. In that incident, he's accused of stealing a man's wallet, phone, and keys to his unit. Criminal history and court appearance Police said Lopez was on conditional release supervision with the Florida Department of Corrections and had only been out of state prison since January. He has a lengthy criminal record, including past charges for narcotics sales, possession of a firearm by a felon, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Lopez now faces one count of armed home invasion, three counts of armed robbery with a deadly weapon, and one count of armed burglary with battery. At his first court appearance Friday, the judge ruled there was probable cause and ordered Lopez to be held without bond. Residents speak out CBS News Miami spoke with several Flamingo Towers residents who are now feeling on edge. Jordan Penev said, "I am just concerned about security. This is pretty scary to have someone break in and hold someone at gunpoint." Another resident, Jason Boulos, said, "I think it is unfortunate. You should lock your doors. I think you should take safety precautions and be careful." No comment from building management CBS News Miami reached out to Flamingo Towers for comment but has so far not heard back.
CBS News
20-06-2025
- CBS News
Arrest made after Miami Beach condo resident pistol-whipped during home invasion, police say
An arrest has been made in a Miami Beach condominium home invasion in which a man was pistol-whipped, and money and a phone were stolen, according to Miami Beach police. Investigators the same suspect committed an armed burglary shortly before that. According to police, on Tuesday, June 17, officers were sent to Flamingo Towers at 1508 Bay Road to check out reports of an armed robbery. A woman who lives in the building said she was walking to a trash chute when an armed man, who police identified as 31-year-old Brian Lopez of Hialeah, pulled a gun on her and demanded that she take him to her unit, according to police. Once there, Lopez allegedly threatened the woman, a person who lives with her (identified in the police report as J.K.), and someone who was staying with them. He demanded that they get on the ground and hand over their belongings, investigators said. "Initially, J.K. resisted the defendant's commands and refused to get on the ground. The defendant then pistol whipped J.K. by striking him on the top of his head, causing a minor laceration," according to the report. Investigators said J.K. was forced to transfer $1,500 via cell and Lopez stole one of their cellphones. He then allegedly demanded that they take him to their vehicle. When the group made it to the lobby, J.K. screamed for help and Lopez took off, according to the report. He was taken into custody a short time later. During the course of their investigation, police said they determined that Lopez had also committed another burglary in the building prior to this incident. In that incident, Lopez is accused of stealing a man's wallet, phone and keys to his unit. Lopez is facing one count of armed home invasion, three counts of armed robbery with a deadly weapon, and one count of armed burglary with battery. During his first court appearance on Friday, the judge found there was probable cause for the charges and ordered that he be held without bond.
Buzz Feed
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tom Felton Comments On JK Rowling
Tom Felton was asked for his thoughts about the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, and I can't lie, his response is disappointing. As you know, J.K. has come under fire, particularly for her anti-trans views. As a result, people are boycotting Harry Potter products, and several of the film's stars have openly criticized her, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Tom, for his part, shared his thoughts tonight at the 78th Tony Awards. When asked how he feels about the current controversy surrounding J.K. and her divisive views, Tom said, "I'm not really that attuned to it." "The only thing I always remind myself is that I'm lucky enough to travel the world," he continued. "Here I am in New York, and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter." His response was shared on Reddit, where it was immediately met with backlash. Very trash behavior, indeed, if you ask me. Tell me what you think in the comments.
Buzz Feed
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
J.K. Rowling Responded To Rumors That She Would Fire Paapa Essiedu From HBO's "Harry Potter" TV Series
Another day, another story on J.K. Rowling 's involvement in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series. At this point, you're well aware that the series itself has become a hotbed of discourse and criticism because the author has spent the majority of her post- Harry Potter career spending time — and money — essentially pushing back against the mere notion of trans rights. The backlash has also reached those who have been announced as the show's cast, to varying degrees. This past week, Paapa Essiedu — who, as of this moment, is booked to portray Severus Snape in the series — was one of many British actors who signed an open letter supporting trans rights in response to the Supreme Court ruling. On Sunday, J.K. seemingly took aim at those who signed the petition on Twitter. 'Some argue that signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear: fear for their careers, of course, but also fear of their co-religionists, who include angry, narcissistic men who threaten and sometimes enact violence on non-believers; back-stabbing colleagues ever ready to report wrongthink,' she said in a very long statement. Obviously, everything that's going on here would cause any passive observer to consider the possibility that, one way or another, Paapa isn't probably long for the Harry Potter world. But this morning, J.K. took to Twitter (again) to confirm that if he does exit the show, it won't be because of her. I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did. I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 5, 2025 @jk_rowling / Via 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did," she wrote alongside a screencap from a website claiming that she wasn't going to have him "sacked." "I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.'
