John Lithgow Says Rowling Backlash Will Follow Him Throughout ‘Harry Potter’ Series

John Lithgow says he understands that J.K. Rowling’s public views on transgender issues will remain an unavoidable part of the conversation surrounding HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series and, by extension, his role in it.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Lithgow, who is set to play Albus Dumbledore in the long-gestating reboot, said he briefly considered stepping away from the project amid backlash tied to Rowling’s statements. He ultimately chose to stay, accepting that the issue would continue to surface throughout the show’s lifespan. “Every interview I will ever do for the rest of my life, this will come up,” he said.

Lithgow clarified that he does not share Rowling’s views and has never met the author. At the same time, he framed the series itself as separate from her personal positions, describing the project as one that stands “against intolerance and bigotry.”

The actor’s casting prompted criticism earlier this year, particularly from some fans and advocacy voices who questioned his involvement given Rowling’s ongoing role as an executive producer. Lithgow said he was initially surprised by the reaction, admitting he hadn’t anticipated the extent to which the controversy would shape public perception of the show.

A personal connection helped shift his perspective. He recalled receiving an open letter from a friend who has a transgender daughter, urging him to reconsider taking on the role. The message led him to reflect more seriously on the broader implications of the project and his participation in it.

“It made me think,” he said in an earlier interview, noting that he had to weigh both the professional opportunity and the surrounding discourse.

At 80, Lithgow also described the role of Dumbledore as a significant late-career commitment. HBO is planning a multi-season adaptation of the Harry Potter books, with a projected seven-season arc. For Lithgow, that timeline carries personal weight. “It’s an eight-year commitment,” he said. “I was thinking about mortality… this is probably the last major role I’ll play.”

The series is expected to debut in 2027 and represents a major investment for HBO as it revisits one of the most commercially successful literary and film franchises of the past three decades. Rowling remains closely involved in the production, a factor that has continued to draw scrutiny.

HBO executives have attempted to draw a distinction between Rowling’s personal views and the content of the series. Chief content officer Casey Bloys addressed the issue publicly, stating that Rowling’s opinions are her own and not embedded in the adaptation itself.

Still, the debate has extended beyond the production. Several actors associated with the original Harry Potter films have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling’s comments in recent years. Daniel Radcliffe said her remarks made him “really sad,” while Emma Watson noted that meaningful dialogue with the author on the subject had not occurred. Others, including Pedro Pascal, have been more direct in their criticism.

Lithgow appears to be approaching the situation with a degree of pragmatism, acknowledging that the conversation is unlikely to fade. Rather than disengage from the project, he has chosen to move forward while making his own position clear.