Harry Potter TV star Bel Powley: ‘I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views’

Bel Powley stars as Petunia Dursley in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO adaptation (Victoria Jones/PA)

Harry Potter star Bel Powley has said she “strongly disagrees” with JK Rowling’s views on gender.

The actress, 34, will portray Petunia Dursley in the upcoming HBO Max television adaptation of Rowling’s books, which will premiere on December 25.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Powley said: “I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender.

“I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.”

Rowling has stated she believes biological sex is real and immutable and has been critical of self-declared gender identity, calling it “quasi-religious” and “anti-science”.

She has denied being transphobic and previously said she respects “every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them”.

Powley added that, despite her disagreement with Rowling, she is a huge fan of the book series.

She said: “I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.”

Rowling’s representatives have been contacted for comment.

Several cast members of the Harry Potter film series have expressed disagreement with Rowling’s views, including Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, and Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione Granger.

Radcliffe said he believes “trans women are women” while Watson said: “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.”

Other stars from the franchise have defended the author.

Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed Lord Voldemort, criticised the online vitriol aimed at Rowling, saying: “The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling.”