Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs said that still supports author J.K. Rowling, despite her views on the trans community.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Isaacs explained that, while he disagrees with Rowling's transphobic comments, he wasn't ready to throw the Harry Potter author under the bus just yet. "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," Isaacs said, who portrayed Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise. "So for all that she has said some very controversial things, I was not going to be jumping to stab her in the front -- or back -- without a conversation with her, which I've not managed to have yet."
Isaacs also pointed out the charitable work that Rowling has done with her charity, Lumos, for which she currently serves as president. Founded in 2005, Lumos works to end the worldwide institutionalization of children and reunite them with their families. "She has her opinions, I have mine. They differ in many different areas," he said. "But one of the things that people should know about her too -- not as a counter-argument -- is that she has poured an enormous amount of her fortune into making the world a much better place, for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children, through her charity Lumos. And that is unequivocally good. Many of us Harry Potter actors have worked for it, and seen on the ground the work that they do."
Isaacs isn't the only Harry Potter cast member to discuss Rowling's anti-trans comments. Recently, Ron Weasley actor Rupert Grint explained that while he doesn't share her views, he still sees her as family. "I don't necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she's still my auntie," Grint said. "It's a tricky one."
Many Harry Potter fans have distanced themselves from Rowling due to her stance on transgender rights. Rowling came under fire a number of times in recent years following both her social media posts on trans rights and a 2020 essay she wrote in defense of these comments. Several younger Harry Potter stars have spoken out as a result, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who portrayed Harry Potter and Hermione Granger in the films, respectively.
"Transgender women are women," Radcliffe said in a 2020 statement. "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 Jo or I."
Isaacs recently reunited with the Harry Potter cast in the anniversary special, titled Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. While the reunion featured discussions from both the cast and filmmakers behind the franchise, Rowling declined her invitation from HBO Max to appear and instead was seen solely in archival footage.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is now available on HBO Max.
Source: The Telegraph