Nick Frost opposes JK Rowling’s transgender views amid ‘Harry Potter’ casting
Nick Frost has voiced his opposition over JK Rowling’s exclusionary stance on transgender people for the first time, stating, the pair “don’t align in any way.”
The actor, who is set to play the character of Hagrid in the upcoming TV remake of the Harry Potter franchise for HBO, recently gave an interview to The Observer in which he was asked for his response to the backlash surrounding his casting.
Frost said: “She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.”
The Shaun of the Dead actor was forced to disable his Instagram comments when news of his role in the series was first announced, due to Rowling still serving as an executive producer on the project despite her controversial gender critical stance.
During the interview, when asked if he thinks the controversy could potentially overshadow the making of the show, Frost replied: “I don’t know,” adding, “But maybe it shouldn’t blow over? We shouldn’t just hope it will go away, because it makes it easier. Maybe we should educate ourselves.”
It comes as other actors in the adult cast for the remake have voiced their disapproval over Rowling’s views, with Paapa Essiedu, who is set to play Severus Snape, signing an open letter supporting rights for transgender people.
Despite firmly opposing such a cause, Rowling noted afterwards that the actor would not be fired from the series because of his views, saying: “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
Elsewhere, Frost has spoken openly about the significance and responsibility that comes with his role of playing Hagrid, explaining that he is “going to be very protective to the children” who lead the cast.
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