Actor John Lithgow has stood by his choice to portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming series set in the Harry Potter universe. This decision has sparked some controversy, particularly concerning author J.K. Rowling’s public stance on transgender issues.
During discussions about the backlash, the 80-year-old Lithgow expressed that he takes the criticism seriously, noting the irony in Rowling’s views against the backdrop of her stories that promote acceptance and kindness. He remarked, “People of all ages love Harry Potter and the Harry Potter stories. It’s about acceptance, the relationship between good and evil, the relationship between kindness and cruelty. It’s deeply felt.”
He found it quite puzzling that Rowling would hold such views, sharing that while he has read about her opinions, he has never met her. Lithgow emphasized that the creators behind the adaptation are remarkable individuals he is eager to work with.
Further addressing the criticism, he mentioned that he found no elements of transphobia in the narrative, and he expressed disappointment over the objections to his participation.
Reflecting on the controversy, Lithgow admitted it was a challenging decision. He shared that at times, it made him quite uncomfortable, especially with calls for him to withdraw from the project. Yet, he chose to remain committed despite his initial surprise at the backlash, which he hadn’t anticipated when accepting the role.
Interestingly, he recalled receiving an alert from a good friend whose child identifies as transgender, describing that moment as a significant indicator. However, he maintained that this realization did not affect his decision to proceed with the role.
In closing, Lithgow recognized the weight of his choice, acknowledging that this is a substantial role as he views it as a fitting capstone to his career. He reflected, “This is the last big role I’m going to play. It’s an eight-year term, so all I was thinking about was death, and I thought this was a really good closing role.”
