Harry Potter live-action TV series ‘in early stages’ and LGBT+ fans have had it, officially

“Early-stage exploratory meetings” are reportedly underway for a Harry Potter live-action TV series, and to say LGBT+ fans have had it is an understatement.

Unnamed sources told The Hollywood Reporter that HBO Max executives “have engaged in multiple conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas that would bring the beloved property to television”.

The sources reportedly said that “ideas have been discussed as part of the early-stage exploratory meetings”.

Despite HBO Max and Warner Bros’ insisted that “no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform”, the LGBT+ community is nervous that more money will end up in the pocket of JK Rowling, who has become infamous for her anti-trans views.

JK Rowling will profit from any and all new Harry Potter-related media. If you spend money consuming that media, you are giving JK Rowling money. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

— Elle M. (they/them) (@ellle_em) January 25, 2021

Comic book writer Magdalene Visaggio wrote on Twitter: “I’m not asking anyone to disavow their Harry Potter fandom – lots of good things were made by bad people – but please think seriously about not watching the Harry Potter series because it means financially supporting a vocal opponent of trans people.”

Im not asking anyone to disavow their Harry Potter fandom — lots of good things were made by bad people – but please think seriously about not watching the harry potter series because it means financially supporting a vocal opponent of trans people.

— Oh! Verisimilitude! (@MagsVisaggs) January 25, 2021

Visaggio’s point about those who love the Harry Potter series, but oppose Rowling’s anti-trans stance, was a common theme.

One fan wrote: “A long time ago, I would have been totally into a new Harry Potter series.

“Now I hear the news and think, ‘Warner Bros, do my trans family members mean nothing to you?’”

Others pointed out that if, like many have claimed, Rowling has been “cancelled” or “silenced”, it is working out well for her.

One wrote: “Is this what it looks like when JK Rowling is cancelled? Endless content and theme parks based on her ideas?” 

Some Twitter users had suggestions for how executives could make a show that the LGBT+ community would watch.

One person posted: “A new Harry Potter TV show would have to introduce the most diverse cast imaginable AND loudly support the trans community before I even considered watching it.

“I know neither of those things are going to happen so I’m going to try and forget the whole thing is going ahead.”

I love the Harry Potter universe, but I do hope HBO hires like a trans showrunner or writers for this to counter J.K. Rowling’s attitude. https://t.co/a09O80rgDH

— Gillian de Nooijer (@GillianDN) January 25, 2021

I could get on board with a Harry Potter HBO Max show if it starred trans actors/characters and none of the money went to JK Rowling.

And also if it shows us the giant squid in the lake.

— Dan Curtis Thompson (@dctcomedy) January 25, 2021

“I could get on board with a Harry Potter HBO Max show if it starred trans actors/ characters and none of the money went to JK Rowling,” tweeted another.

“And also if it shows us the giant squid in the lake.”