{"id":5885,"date":"2026-08-14T14:37:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T14:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=5885"},"modified":"2026-08-14T14:37:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T14:37:15","slug":"black-mirror-and-loki-directors-say-they-rejected-hbos-harry-potter-due-to-j-k-rowlings-transphobia-absolutely-f","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=5885","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 and \u2018Loki\u2019 Directors Say They Rejected HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Due to J.K. Rowling\u2019s Transphobia: \u2018Absolutely F\u2014-ing Not\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tNot everyone wants to climb aboard the Hogwarts Express, it transpires.<\/p>\n

\n\tTop TV director Ally Pankiw has posted on Instagram a screenshot from a text exchange with a rep in which she scoffed at the notion that she would consider enrolling with HBO\u2019s forthcoming series adaptation of J.K. Rowling\u2018s \u201cHarry Potter\u201d novels.<\/p>\n

Read more Cinema Guild Takes North American Rights on \u00c9ric Baudelaire\u2019s \u2018For the Moon\u2019 Ahead of New York Film Festival Launch (EXCLUSIVE)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tThe reason? Rowling\u2019s views on trans persons\u2019 rights, which many have alleged are transphobic.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Canadian filmmaker, who\u2019s helmed multiple episodes of \u201cBlack Mirror\u201d and \u201cThe Great,\u201d and was a writer on \u201cSchitt\u2019s Creek,\u201d commented on the post, \u201cIt simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!,\u201d adding, \u201cAlso this was for directing, not acting\u2026 obviously lol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn the screenshot of the text messages, a representative for Pankiw (who is repped by talent agency WME), asks: \u201cI have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask \u2018Harry Potter? Hard no?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tPankiw shoots back, \u201cAbsolutely f\u2014ing not! Lol.\u201d And she adds, politely, \u201cBut thank you for asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe representative responds, \u201cOf course \ud83d\ude42 I assumed as much (And agree).\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAnother leading TV director, Kate Herron, whose credits include Marvel Studios\u2019 \u201cLoki\u201d and Netflix\u2019s \u201cSex Education,\u201d shared that she had a similar experience.<\/p>\n

\n\tCommenting on Pankiw\u2019s Instagram post, preceded by three hearts, the British filmmaker says, \u201cYeah thank you exactly! Respect and love to you Ally. They\u2019ve asked me twice and I\u2019ve had to explain my answer is never gonna change from a no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Ana Vaz Discusses the Impact of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, the Work of Yoko Hayasuke and Preferring to Be a Mother Rather than a Zombie<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tThat said, the roll call of actors joining the show grows ever longer. This week Nicholas Hoult signed on to play Gilderoy Lockhart.<\/p>\n

\n\tOther cast members include John Lithgow, who plays Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, Janet McTeer, who is Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu plays Snape, Bel Powley is Aunt Petunia, and Nick Frost has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid.<\/p>\n

\n\tPowley, for her part, recently spoke of her disagreement with Rowling\u2019s views on trans rights. \u201cI strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling\u2019s views on gender,\u201d Powley told The Telegraph. \u201cI think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe series is due to debut on Dec. 25 on HBO and HBO Max, with the first season adapting the first book in the novel series, \u201cHarry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone.\u201d The show has already been renewed for a second season, which will be based on \u201cHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nVariety <\/em>reached out to reps for Rowling, who declined to comment, Pankiw and Herron, as well as HBO.<\/p>\n

Read more Busan Film Festival to Honor Founder Director Kim Dong-ho With Korean Cinema Award<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Top TV directors Ally Pankiw and Kate Herron rejected the chance to join HBO’s forthcoming series adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” novels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[4589,632,4590,4591],"class_list":["post-5885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tv","tag-ally-pankiw","tag-harry-potter","tag-j-k-rowling","tag-kate-herron"],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 and \u2018Loki\u2019 Directors Say They Rejected HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Due to J.K. 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