Radcliffe stressed that J.K. Rowling does not speak for the Harry Potter cast.

Despite remaining one of the most popular and profitable names in entertainment, the Harry Potter franchise has become a somewhat controversial one in recent years due to the opinions of its author, J.K. Rowling. Rowling has made numerous dismissive, critical, and vitriolic comments on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals. Back in 2020, Daniel Radcliffe, longtime face of Harry Potter himself, released an open letter denouncing Rowling’s opinions and reaffirming his desire to aid and recognize the LGBTQ+ community.

In a recent interview with IndieWire, Radcliffe reflected on that letter, clarifying the importance of informing fans and onlookers that the opinions of Rowling do not reflect those of himself or the rest of the Potter cast.

“The reason I was felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing ‘Potter,’ I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that. And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important,” Radcliffe explained.

Daniel Radcliffe on why he spoke out against JK Rowling

“I’ve met so many queer and trans kids who had a huge amount of identification with Potter … seeing them hurt … I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important” pic.twitter.com/Z9lqcYqa7i

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 1, 2022

Radcliffe has been a longtime ardent supporter of LGBTQ+ charity The Trevor Project, and felt he needed to make his position clear in order to keep supporting them with a clear conscience. “It was really important as I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than 10 years, and so I don’t think I would’ve been able to look myself in the mirror had I not said anything,” he said.