John Lithgow says J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans views are “inexplicable” and “people insisted I walk away” from playing Dumbledore in HBO’s #HarryPotter but “I chose not to do that.”
“I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it… pic.twitter.com/czGsl30G2c
— Variety (@Variety) February 1, 2026
Asked about J.K. Rowling’s trans statements, John Lithgow said: “I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.”
He added “It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.”
