Daniel Radcliffe breaks silence on J.K. Rowling's swipe and her anti-trans views (2024)

Daniel Radcliffe has responded to J.K Rowling's latest anti-trans comments, with the Harry Potter actor pledging to 'continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people'

Daniel Radcliffe breaks silence on J.K. Rowling's swipe and her anti-trans views (1)

Daniel Radcliffe has broken his silence on J.K Rowling 's recent comments about himself and his Harry Potter co-star's.

The dad-of-one, 34, says in a new interview that the author's controversial views on transgender people and their allies make him "really sad" and he will continue to support "the rights of all LGBTQ people" going forward.

Radcliffe also addressed claims he "owes" his career to Rowling - something the actor's critics often say in response to his support of the LGBTQ community - and stated "nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is" without Rowling penning the Harry Potter series.

The Woman In Black actor's comments follow Rowling expressing her disappointment with Radcliffe and his Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson last month, stating "I will never forgive" them for their staunch support of the transgender community.

Rowling, who also writes under the male pseudonym Robert Galbraith, has been critical of the trans community, who make up around 0.5% of the UK population, over recent years, while Radcliffe and Hermione Granger actress Watson have been vocal about their support of all LGBTQ people.

Radcliffe, who earned a Tony Awards nomination on Tuesday, revealed in his new interview that he hasn't spoken to Rowling in many years. The actor, who appeared in all eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011, then opened up further regarding the author's spiral towards transphobia over recent years.

"It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic," Radcliffe said of Rowling and controversial views in his interview with The Atlantic .

He went on to add: "Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life."

Radcliffe then issued a response to Rowling's recent Twitter (X) comments regarding himself and co-star Watson, with Rowling seemingly implying she would not "forgive" the two stars should they ever decide to apologise to them for supporting the trans community. "I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people, and have no further comment than that," Radcliffe told the publication.

Rowling, 58, made the comments about Radcliffe and Watson during a tweeting spree at the start of April, following the release of a contentious report on NHS England's gender services for children and young people. The Cass Review has been applauded by those sharing Rowling's views, while charities supporting trans youth have raised concerns that the report's language could be misconstrued and potentially create further obstacles for trans young people seeking care.

In one of her posts regarding The Cass Report, Rowling wrote: "Over the last four years, Hilary Cass has conducted the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children that's ever been conducted. Mere hours after it was released to the press and public, committed ideologues are doubling down."

As a response to Rowling's tweet, one of her followers stated: "Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology... safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them..." Rowling hit back, telling her fan: "Not safe, I'm afraid," and went on to say, "Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."

Rowling first became publicly critical about gender issues back in 2020. Both Radcliffe and Watson had voiced their support for the trans community, defining their stance repeatedly. In a direct reply to one of Rowling's controversial tweets in June 2020, Radcliffe wrote, "Transgender 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 Jo [Rowling] or I.

Writing on The Trevor Project's website, an American organisation "working on a safe, more-inclusive world for young LGBTQ+ people," Radcliffe went on to address Harry Potter fans possibly hurt by Rowling's comments about trans people. "To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you. I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you," the actor continued.

"If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much."

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Daniel Radcliffe breaks silence on J.K. Rowling's swipe and her anti-trans views (2024)

FAQs

Daniel Radcliffe breaks silence on J.K. Rowling's swipe and her anti-trans views? ›

In 2020, Radcliffe responded to some of Rowling's comments on the matter with a statement saying “Transgender women are women.” The public split was pounced upon by the British press, not least as the wildly successful Potter franchise had been embraced by children across the board.

What did Daniel Radcliffe say? ›

Radcliffe and Watson's dispute with Rowling dates back to the latter's intervention in the growing controversy between trans-rights activists and gender-critical feminists in 2020. Radcliffe subsequently issued a statement through LGBTQ+ suicide-prevention group the Trevor Project, saying: “Transgender women are women.

Who is Daniel Radcliffe's wife? ›

Erin Darke
Alma materUniversity of Michigan–Flint
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present
PartnerDaniel Radcliffe (2012–present)
2 more rows

How old was Daniel Radcliffe at the end of Harry Potter? ›

In Harry Potter 8, you might be wondering at what age Daniel Radcliffe was during the filming. Well, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Radcliffe was 21 years old. It's incredible to think that he'd been playing the iconic role of Harry Potter since he was just 11 years old in the first film.

Does Daniel Radcliffe have a child? ›

The actor welcomed his son with girlfriend Erin Darke in April. Daniel Radcliffe is loving life as a dad. The 34-year-old actor appeared on Today With Hoda and Jenna to discuss the first six months of life with his and girlfriend Erin Darke's son. "It's awesome.

What are the disabilities of Daniel Radcliffe? ›

Daniel Radcliffe

Famous for being able to solve pretty much any awkward wizarding situation, things haven't always been so easy for old HP. Growing up he suffered from Dyspraxia, a learning disability that is often grouped with Dyslexia.

What did Sandra Bullock say about Daniel Radcliffe? ›

Sandra Bullock added, “I don't know, I just came to really admire and like him so much, because he was not at all what I expected him to be. He was nothing even close to that.” Daniel Radcliffe played a villain in The Lost City and as per the actress, she wanted him to leave his Harry Potter image behind in the film.

Who is Harry Potter's girlfriend in real life? ›

From Daniel Radcliffe and his longtime beau Erin Darke to Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse, here are some Harry Potter stars and their better halves.

Who is the mother of Daniel Radcliffe's child? ›

Actor Daniel Radcliffe and his long-term partner, Erin Darke, have become parents for the first time. The birth of their child was confirmed by the Harry Potter actor's publicist after the Daily Mail published photographs of them pushing a pram in New York.

Why Hermione choose Ron over Harry? ›

Hermione probably liked the way Ron looks for starters. She was big on looks (Lockhart). She likes bickering, which Harry doesn't. She needs people who make cups to tea and remind her to have fun as well as study.

How old was Daniel Radcliffe in each Harry Potter 1? ›

By the time he acted in the last Harry Potter movie, he was 21 years old. If you need particular info he was 11 in the first movie, 12 in the second one, 14 in the third one, 15 in the fourth one, 17 in the fifth one, 19 in the sixth one and 20 and 21 in the last two movies.

Are Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint friends? ›

Radcliffe and Grint developed a long-lasting friendship thanks to their time together in the Harry Potter films. But after the movies ended, Radcliffe shared that it was easier maintaining communication with Emma Watson than it was with Grint.

Did Tom Felton have a baby? ›

Hollywood actor Tom Felton, who plays baddie Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, has laughed off rumours that he has fathered a baby child. HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere.

Does Hermione ever kiss Harry? ›

Well, in case it skipped your mind, Harry and Hermione shared a kiss – not cause they were in love or dating each other but a manifestation of a Horcrux, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. While Daniel thought it would be soft and sensual, read on to know how Emma finally kissed him and why.

Why is Daniel Radcliffe done with Harry Potter? ›

"I think it's very much like they're going for a new series," Radcliffe explained. "There would be somebody else playing Harry. So I think it would be very weird for me to show up." In the spirit of celebrating a fresh take on the magical saga, Radcliffe continued, "I'm very excited to see what other people do with it.

What was Daniel Radcliffe known for? ›

Daniel Radcliffe (born July 23, 1989, Fulham, London, England) is a British actor best known for his on-screen portrayal of the boy wizard Harry Potter in a series of blockbuster films. Radcliffe later was noted for seeking out unconventional roles.

Did Daniel Radcliffe watch the Harry Potter movies? ›

However, it is not just the fans as Daniel Radcliffe himself has watched the series back, although reveals there's one movie he finds “hard to watch”. Radcliffe was just 12-years old when he took on the role of Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Why was Daniel Radcliffe cast? ›

As revealed by an Instagram video showing a behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Radcliffe's screen test for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chris Columbus revealed that he immediately decided to cast Radcliffe as Potter after realizing that the young boy had a haunting quality that couldn't be taught – it was the ...

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