September 12th 2024.
As a former Potterhead, I was ecstatic to hear about the new Harry Potter HBO series, but my excitement quickly turned to concern when I realized the potential for disaster. During my younger years, I was a typical fan - I had posters of Harry, Ron, and Hermione on my bedroom walls, followed numerous fan accounts, and never missed a premiere. Even now, in the corner of my childhood room, lies a discarded Gryffindor scarf, Fleur Delacour's wand, and well-worn copies of the original book series, collecting dust.
So when news of an open casting call for the new HBO series broke, I should have been over the moon, but instead, I felt a sense of unease in the pit of my stomach. There were two reasons for this - first, I had moved on from the "Potterverse" after JK Rowling's offensive comments about the transgender community, and I believe the entire franchise should be left in the past. But my worry also stemmed from the fate of the new actors who would be plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight.
Not only will this trio of unknown actors star in one of the most heavily scrutinized TV shows of the decade, but they will also be under the creative control of someone who, in my opinion, has opposed the rights of a marginalized community. No amount of promises for "diverse and inclusive" casting can erase this fact. We have already seen the dangers of fame and pressure on the original trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, who struggled with the weight of their fame at a young age.
Years later, I am impressed with how they have handled their lives and remained firm allies of the transgender community, even as they face attacks from JK Rowling. The original trio also faced their own challenges during filming, and I worry for the young actors who will step into their shoes for a rebooted series that no one asked for.
If anything, watching this new series feels like watching a car crash in slow motion - morbidly fascinating yet difficult to look away from. With a controversial author behind the source material and constant speculation about the fate of the company behind the reboot, Warner Brother Discovery, it's a PR nightmare waiting to happen.
As tempting as it is to revel in the potential downfall of the series due to Rowling's behavior, I worry about the innocent children who will be caught in the crossfire. There are numerous reasons for both fans and non-fans to oppose this new series, primarily the moral objection to supporting someone who continues to make offensive comments. Rowling's recent remarks about the trans community, including her comments about Olympic boxer Imane Khalif, only show how far down this rabbit hole she has gone. The Harry Potter set can never be a safe environment for trans and non-binary actors, and the whole project is becoming increasingly taboo.
Unlike the blockbuster film franchise, which featured iconic British actors like Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Julie Walters, the new big-budget TV show will be a litmus test for the morals of established actors. How many will risk losing the respect of their fans for an unnecessary remake of a fantasy series? The films only ended in 2011, making a remake seem entirely unnecessary. Meanwhile, the spin-off franchise Fantastic Beasts has lost momentum and has been plagued by its own scandals, including featuring controversial actors Ezra Miller and Johnny Depp. The original five-film plan has been put on hold indefinitely, and the whole series seems to be cursed, much like the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Instead of trying to recreate a beloved series with a problematic author, why not invest in new fantasy adaptations that are truly forward-thinking? In 2024, there are better options to invest our time and money in, and it's time to leave Harry Potter in the past. We need to move on and support new stories, rather than continuously revisiting and profiting off of a cultural relic. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, please reach out to us - we would love to hear from you. Let's focus on promoting and supporting new and diverse voices in entertainment.
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