“Harry Potter” actor Ralph Fiennes is defending J.K. Rowling against “disgusting” verbal attacks.
Fiennes, who plays Tom Riddle and Lord Voldemort in the series, spoke with The New York Times about the response Rowling has received for her position on the transgender community.
“J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings. It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being,” Fiennes explained.
He continued, “The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling. I mean, I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene, über-right-wing fascist.”
Fiennes suggested it is “just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.”
He is not the only “Harry Potter” actor to comment on the matter.
Earlier this month, Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy, also offered praise for Rowling.
“I couldn’t speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest, but I’m often reminded, attending Comic Cons in particular, that no-one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life,” Felton said.
He continued, “I’m constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I’ve only had a handful of meetings with her but she has always been lovely. So I’m very grateful for that.”
When it comes to the debate around politics and cultural issues, Felton said, “I’m pro. I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-life. I’m pro-discussion. I’m pro-love. I don’t tend to pick sides.”
Felton suggested “we should enjoy celebrating each other’s differences.”
The franchise’s author made headlines earlier this month after she fired back at a broadcaster calling on followers to take legal action against her, as IJR reported.
India Willoughby, known as Britain’s first transgender national television newsreader, reacted to a tweet from Rowling about a children’s charity called Mermaids that supports “transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children.”
Willoughby tweeted, “Someone really needs to take legal action against JK Rowling. This is off the scale. The GC tactic seems to be to drown the trans charity Mermaids in a tsunami of innuendo and lies – throw a stack of mud, some of it will stick.”
The newsreader continued, “The replies on here after JKR got triggered are a really good representation of the GC movement. Keep posting – let the world see.”
Rowling replied, “India, I swear to God, if you want to start a petition for Mermaids to take me on in court, the first signature will be mine.”
For the legions of the blocked. pic.twitter.com/cEwOG8h43u
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 5, 2022
Additionally, she fired back at another critic on Twitter who questioned how she can sleep knowing she “lost a whole audience from buying your books.”
Rowling wrote, “I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly.”
