Get the latest gossip

John Lithgow Responds to ‘Odd’ Backlash Over ‘Harry Potter’ Casting

John Lithgow has responded to the backlash over being cast as Albus Dumbledore in J.K. Rowling's forthcoming 'Harry Potter' series.

The Conclave actor joined the cast as Albus Dumbledore despite anti-trans rhetoric from author J.K. Rowling, who is an executive producer on the show. He explained that he had been sent an article titled “An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter” by a “very good friend” who has a trans daughter. Numerous actors from the original film series and fellow celebrities have spoken out about her treatment of trans people and her involvement in the recent legal campaign in the U.K. to define women as those born biologically female.

Get the Android app