When the Hollywood producers behind an upcoming big-budget Harry Potter TV series announced they wanted an “inclusive” cast, they were accused of pandering to a woke audience that had threatened to boycott the show over its creator’s views JK Rowling on transgender issues.
But while studio executives at HBO and Warner Brothers have tried to avoid a potentially damaging culture war, it appears the author plays a more important role in the show than they would like to advertise.
Ms. Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has “entered the writers’ room” where scripts and storylines are developed. And when I asked an industry insider about her presence there, she backed away and asked to keep it a “secret.”
Why such reticence about the involvement of one of the world’s best-selling authors?
Ms. Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has “entered the writers’ room” where scripts and storylines are developed.
The Harry Potter films were released in November 2001, starring Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character
Maybe it’s because she’s a pariah in some circles after being labeled transphobic by her critics in 2020 for making fun of the phrase “people who menstruate.” She sarcastically tweeted, “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me. Wumbing? Wimpond? Woomud?’
Completely opposite to the language in last month’s casting call, which sought actors for the show “regardless of ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation” [or] gender identity” — prompting some critics to complain that such wokeness would ruin the franchise.
But some in the opposite trenches of the culture war have said they would not see anything involving Ms Rowling.
At a press conference announcing that the series will retell the Harry Potter stories a decade from now, HBO boss Casey Bloys declined to comment on Ms Rowling’s view that trans women are not women, saying: ‘I don’t think this the forum is. We won’t go into that.’
Ms. Rowling was not credited as a writer on the original Harry Potter films, but she did provide direct assistance to screenwriters Steve Kloves and Michael Goldenberg.
Succession’s Francesca Gardiner is head writer on the TV version. Filming will start next year.
Lonely Cara is looking for friends
She has 41 million followers on Instagram and many A-listers on speed dial, so why is Cara Delevingne as lonely as a cloud?
I can reveal that the supermodel is currently on celebrity dating app Raya ‘looking for friends’.
Although the 32-year-old is said to be in a relationship with musician Leah Mason, the two have not been seen together in public since August.
They’re not grandma’s pearls!
Princess Margaret was known for her love of pearls, but her granddaughter, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, prefers much edgier designs.
The 22-year-old daughter of the Earl of Snowdon and his ex-wife Serena shows off her new jewelry collection called Matita
The 22-year-old daughter of the Earl of Snowdon and his ex-wife Serena has shown off her new jewelery collection called Matita in Chelsea and she tells me it is inspired by Africa.
With Christmas on the horizon, I wonder if Margarita’s royal relatives will buy the items as gifts?
David Cameron has paid tribute to Liam Payne following his death at the age of 31.
The former Prime Minister, who appeared in a Comic Relief video with Liam and the rest of One Direction on the steps of Downing Street in 2013, said the loss was ‘desperately sad’.
The former Prime Minister appeared in a Comic Relief video with Liam and the rest of One Direction on the steps of Downing Street in 2013
Lord Cameron told me: ‘They were all so charming and enthusiastic. It is incredibly sad that Liam lost his life so early, and Samantha and my condolences go out to his friends and family.”
Is it bad form to kiss two women from the same family? I ask as I learn that Viscount Garnock – the so-called Caledonian Cowboy who is engaged to the Duke of Rutland’s daughter, Lady Violet Manners, first dated her older sister Alice. A
A source tells me that the 33-year-old Viscount, William Lindesay-Bethune, may have even kissed Alice at a hunting ball. Let’s hope Violet isn’t the jealous type…
Lady Gabriella Windsor has cut a sad figure since the tragic death of her husband Thomas Kingston in February.
But the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent is now being pursued by suitable suitors.
Last week I had lunch with a Persian royal who said he had invited her to a “sound healing ceremony.” Lady Gabriella’s answer? A very polite ‘no’.
According to comedian David Baddiel, diehard Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer’s own football skills are lacking. He once played with the Prime Minister and says: ‘If Cristiano Ronaldo is 200/200, then Keir is about two.’ Ouch!