When the Hollywood producers behind an upcoming big-budget TV series about Harry Potter announced they wanted an “inclusive” cast, they were accused of pandering to a woke audience that had threatened to boycott the show over the creator’s views. JK Rowling on transgender issues.
But while studio executives HBO and Warner Brothers have tried to avoid any potentially damaging culture war disputes, it appears the author has a larger role in the show than they would like to publicize.
Ms. Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has been “diving into the writers’ room” where scripts and stories are developed. And when I asked an industry insider about her presence there, she backed off and asked that it be kept “under wraps.”
Why is there so much shyness about the participation of one of the best-selling authors in the world?
Ms. Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has been “diving into the writers’ room” where scripts and stories are developed.
The Harry Potter films began releasing in November 2001 with Daniel Radcliffe as the protagonist.
Perhaps it’s because she’s a pariah in some quarters after her critics labeled her transphobic in 2020 for ridiculing the phrase “people who menstruate.” She sarcastically tweeted: “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people.” Someone help me. Wumben? Weakling? Whoaumud?’
Quite the opposite of the language used in last month’s casting call, seeking actors for the show “regardless of ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation (or) gender identity,” leading some critics to complain that such waking up would ruin the franchise.
But some in the opposing trenches of the culture war have said they would not watch anything in which Ms. Rowling was involved.
At a press conference to announce the series that tells the Harry Potter stories over a decade, HBO boss Casey Bloys declined to comment on Rowling’s view that trans women are not women, saying : “I don’t think this is the forum.” That’s not something we’re going to get into.’
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 the head writer for the television version. Filming begins next year.
Lonely Cara is looking for friends
She has 41 million followers on Instagram and plenty of celebrities 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 pair have not been seen together in public since August.
They are not grandmother’s pearls!
Princess Margaret was known for her love of pearls, but her granddaughter, Lady Margaret Armstrong-Jones, prefers much more daring designs.
The 22-year-old daughter of the Earl of Snowdon and his ex-wife Serena has been showing off her new jewelery collection, called Matita.
The 22-year-old daughter of the Earl of Snowdon and his ex-wife Serena, has been showing her new jewelery collection, called Matita, in Chelsea and tells me it is inspired by Africa.
With Christmas on the horizon, I wonder if any of Margaret’s royal relatives will purchase these items as gifts.
David Cameron has paid tribute to Liam Payne following his death aged 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 alongside Liam and the rest of One Direction on the steps of Downing Street in 2013.
Lord Cameron told me: ‘Everyone was so lovely and enthusiastic. “It is desperately sad that Liam lost his life so early, and Samantha and my deepest condolences are with his friends and family.”
Is it rude to kiss two women from the same family? I ask when I hear that Viscount Garnock, the so-called Caledonian cowherd who is engaged to the Duke of Rutland’s daughter, Lady Violet Manners, first dated his older sister, Alice. TO
The 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 eligible suitors.
Last week I had lunch with a Persian royal who said he had invited her to a “sound healing ceremony.” Lady Gabriella’s response? A very polite “no.”
According to comedian David Baddiel, die-hard Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer lacks football skills. He once played with the Prime Minister and said: “If Cristiano Ronaldo is 200/200, then Keir is about two.” Oh!