Watching casting for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show has been an exhausting experience. “Oh no, not John Lithgow!” we all cry. “Peter Serafinowicz, what are you doing?” -Warwick Davis! Etc. So it’s with great pleasure that I present to you the unbeatable response from Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw (via He hollywood reporter) when asked if she was interested in working on the show: “Of course not!” And that inspired director Kate Herron (Loki, Sex Education) to come on board, explaining that she had to say “no” to the production twice.
HBO’s decision to remake the Harry Potter books already filmed in 2026 has been met with quite a few surprises, mainly because the author of the books, JK Rowling, has become the crowned queen of transphobic rhetoric and, with her billions, has provided enormous amounts of financial support for anti-trans ideas and policies in the United Kingdom. But also, you know, those books will be 20 years old next year and they’ve already made a bunch of pretty good movies. It’s a strange choice.
What has been most irritating is seeing so many big names willing to join a project that will inevitably further line the pockets of the billionaire who seems to spend most of her days inciting hatred towards trans people. Of course, everyone who has said no is less likely to say it publicly, so we have a pretty one-sided perspective that the entertainment industry seems to be brushing aside issues in favor of a big check.
So step forward Ally Pankiw, who posted an image of a conversation with her agent. on his Instagram. “I have a gut answer,” her agent wrote, “but I feel compelled to ask,” and then tentatively added, “Harry Potter? Difficult, right?”
“Of course not! Haha,” Pankiw replied, before politely adding, “(But thanks for asking!).”
“Of course,” the agent said, “I assumed that (and I agree).”
© Aliado Pankiw / Kotaku
Pankiw then added a comment to his post. “It’s just that easy to say no to funding transphobia!”
Kate Herron then responded. “Yes, thank you exactly! Respect and love to you, Ally.” Then, the director pointed out that she has also been sought to be part of the project. “They’ve asked me twice and I’ve had to explain to them that my answer will never change from no.”
THR notes that some people involved in the new Harry Potter production have spoken out against Rowling. Bel Powley, who plays creepy Aunt Petunia Dursley, said: “I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender. I believe the trans community deserves safety, dignity, respect and total acceptance.” Nick Frost, another name that was hugely disappointing to see involved as Hagrid, was a little less direct. “She’s allowed her opinion and I’ve allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way.”
The TV show will begin with eight episodes on HBO on December 25 this year, although given the years-long gaps between HBO seasons, it will be difficult to see how it can prevent a new audience from aging if it continues, let alone its young cast, all in their 30s by the time the series reaches the events of book four.
