TheHarry Potterfandom is currently facing its biggest crisis yet. Two of its core figures, Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling, appear to be on completely opposite sides of a very sensitive issue: transgender rights. But do the rumors actually bear any truth? Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrays Luna Lovegood in the film series, recently addressed such claims to clear the air for confused fans.
Rumors of the alleged rift between Watson and Rowling emerged after Watson’s appearance at the BAFTA Awards earlier this year. As theHarry Potterstar was presenting an award, she quipped that she was there “for all the witches,” which was seemingly a dig atRowling’s criticism of UK Labor Leader Keir Starmersaying trans women are women.
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During a televised appearance on GB News, Lynch insisted that there is nothing but love and respect between Watson and Rowling. In fact, she told the host, Eamonn Holmes, that she personally talked tothe wholeHarry Pottercast, and they all still have great respect for Rowling, even though they don’t agree with her beliefs. Lynch also went on to say that she strongly disagrees with the narrative that there is any sort of rift. She and her co-stars are focused on finding ways to promote healing instead of fighting.
Watson also recently trended on social media after an old interview of her speaking on transgender issues resurfaced online. In the short clip, Watson was asked by trans columnist Paris Lees if she would feel comfortable with Lees using a public women’s restroom. Watson replied, “Oh my God, of course,” with zero hesitation. Naturally, her response stirred up quite a controversy, with half of the people praising her as an example of true feminism, while the other half ripped her apart with rebuts and arguing points. Neither Watson nor Rowling responded to the resurfaced clip.
At this point, it’s unclear whether Watson and her co-stars have spoken to Rowling directly about the situation. Rowling was absent from last year’sHarry Potterreunion, appearing only in archived footage from past interviews, so there definitely wasn’t any communication between her and the cast during that time. All fans can do now is take Lynch’s words for truth and conclude that the rift rumors are definitely not true.
