John Lithgow, the veteran actor set to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming ‘Harry Potter,’ has shared a nuanced take on the long-running debate around J.K. Rowling‘s comments on transgender issues.
During a recent interview, Lithgow said he does not agree with much of Rowling’s public statements, but also suggested that some of what she said has been “twisted and misrepresented.”
John Lithgow Defends Decision to Play Dumbledore Despite Rowling Backlash
The 80-year-old star said the backlash over Rowling’s views only came up after he had already agreed to take on the role. When some people suggested he should leave the project, he made his stance clear. “I was not about to do that,” Lithgow said on The New Yorker Radio Hour. “I just felt the reasons to do it were much, much stronger than the reasons to protest against what Rowling has done and said.“
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The actor known for ‘The Crown,’ ‘3rd Rock from the Sun,’ and his work on Broadway, said that playing Albus Dumbledore was an opportunity he simply could not turn down.
What John Lithgow Really Thinks About J.K. Rowling’s Transgender Views
In the interview, Lithgow made his personal views clear. “I do disagree with much of it. Much of it I think, has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has sort of doubled down on it at her own cost,” he said.
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He said he was surprised by how strongly Rowling has responded to criticism, but did not go into detail about what he felt had been “misrepresented.”
Lithgow also pointed out that he has “not met” Rowling and that she is not closely involved in the daily production of the HBO series. He added, “The other positive on the ‘Harry Potter’ project is the people who have taken it on themselves. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod have an extraordinary partnership. Francesca… she persuaded me, she’s the big reason I took it on.”
How John Lithgow’s Stance on J.K. Rowling Evolved
Earlier this year, Lithgow had described Rowling’s stance as “ironic and inexplicable,” considering the message of the Harry Potter books. His latest comments now seem more balanced, as he stands by his decision to continue with the project while also sharing his personal concerns.
The actor is currently appearing in the Broadway play, ‘Giant,’ which looks at the complicated legacy of Roald Dahl, another well-known writer whose work has been reexamined in recent times.
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