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“Black Mirror” director Ally Pankiw and “Loki” director Kate Herron said Thursday on Instagram that they rejected opportunities to pursue directing work on HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series because of J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues, extending the controversy surrounding the adaptation to prominent behind-the-camera talent.
“Absolutely f—ing not! lol… (But thank you for asking),” Pankiw said.
In an Instagram post, Pankiw shared a screenshot of an apparent exchange in which her representative asked whether she would consider working on “Harry Potter” and predicted that the project would be a “hard no.” Pankiw described declining the opportunity as an easy way for entertainment industry professionals to avoid financially supporting views they opposed.
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Director Ally Pankiw said she rejected an opportunity to discuss directing HBO’s “Harry Potter” series because of J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues. (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
“It simply is this easy to say ‘no’ to funding transphobia! (Also this was for directing, not acting… obviously lol),” Pankiw said.
Fox News Digital asked Rowling’s PR team Friday to respond to Pankiw’s accusation that working on the series would amount to “funding transphobia” and whether the directors’ public refusals could affect HBO’s ability to recruit talent.
“We won’t be commenting,” Rowling’s team said.
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“Loki” director Kate Herron said she had been approached twice about HBO’s “Harry Potter” series and would continue to decline. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Pankiw later told Them that her team was checking whether she would be willing to interview or meet about directing an episode during the show’s second season. She said HBO had not extended a formal offer.
“It was not a hard job offer that I turned down, but more the opportunity to meet or interview,” Pankiw said. “But honestly, I didn’t investigate further!”
Herron, whose credits include “Doctor Who” and the first season of Marvel’s “Loki,” said in the comments on Pankiw’s post that she had been approached about the production twice.
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J.K. Rowling remains closely involved with HBO’s “Harry Potter” adaptation despite criticism from directors who have rejected the project. (Getty Images)
“They’ve asked me twice, and I’ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a ‘no,'” Herron said.
HBO previously defended its relationship with Rowling in a 2024 statement provided to Variety. The network said the author, who serves as an executive producer, had the right to express her views and remained valuable to the adaptation.
“J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,” an HBO spokesperson said.
HBO CEO Casey Bloys also told reporters in 2024 that Rowling had been closely involved in selecting the show’s writer and director and that her views had not affected the hiring of writers, performers and production staff.
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British actress Bel Powley, who plays Harry Potter’s aunt Petunia Dursley in the series, said she disagreed with Rowling’s views.
“I strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling’s views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance,” Powley said.
Rowling has denied that she is transphobic and has characterized her position as a defense of women’s sports, female-only facilities and sex-based legal protections. In a 2025 social media post, Rowling challenged entertainment industry figures who had criticized her views.
“Is it my belief that women and girls should have their own public changing rooms and bathrooms? That women should retain female-only rape crisis centres?” Rowling said. “That men don’t belong in women’s sport? That female prisoners shouldn’t be incarcerated with violent men and male sex offenders?”
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Fox News Digital reached out to Pankiw, Herron and HBO for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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