TALK OF THE TOWN: JK Rowling's role on new Harry Potter TV series...
in a chamber of secrets By Harriet Kean For The Mail On Sunday Published: 00:22, 27 October 2024 | Updated: 00:22, 27 October 2024 e-mail View comments When the Hollywood producers behind a forthcoming big-budget Harry Potter TV series announced they wanted an 'inclusive' cast, they were accused of pandering to a woke audience who had threatened to boycott the show over creator J.K. Rowling 's views on transgender issues.
But while studio executives at HBO and Warner Brothers have tried to avoid any potentially damaging culture war row, it appears the author has a more significant role in the show than they would like advertised. Ms Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has been 'dipping into the writers' room' where scripts and storylines are being developed. And when I asked an industry insider about her presence there, she recoiled and asked for it to be kept 'secret'.
Why such coyness about the involvement of one of the world's biggest-selling authors? Ms Rowling was announced as an executive producer on the project, not a writer, but I understand she has been 'dipping into the writers' room' where scripts and storylines are being developed The Harry Potter films began to be released back in November 2001 with Daniel Radcliffe starring as the titular character Perhaps it's down to her being a pariah in some quarters after she was labelled transp.
