In providing a brief update that will undoubtedly come as welcome news to fans of the boy wizard, HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has confirmed that not only has creator J.K. Rowling been “fairly involved” in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, but also that its production has been in no way effected by her personal views on various transgender issues.
Blows, who also serves as the Chairman and CEO of Max, spoke to Rowling’s involvement in the upcoming TV adaptation of her famous book series during a November 12th Warner Bros. press conference held in promotion of the company’s upcoming production slate.
As recapped by IGN‘s Alex Stedman, at one point fielding questions from attendees, Bloys was pressed by a currently unidentified reporter as to both how involved Rowling was in the Harry Potter series’ production and whether the author’s “passionate views about trans issues” had caused any problems in its ability to find its cast.
Beginning with the reporter’s first question, Bloys answered in turn, “She’s been fairly involved. She was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and director, and I imagine she’ll have opinions on casting.”
Moving to the second, the CEO affirmed that Rowling’s reputation as a vocal critic of transgender politics “hasn’t affected the casting or hiring of writers and production staff. So we haven’t felt an impact from that.”
Notably, Bloys’ recent comments are in line with the ones he gave on the subject following the initial announcement of the Harry Potter series’ green-lighting.
Per Variety‘s Angelique Jackson, when asked during a Q&A session held with members of the press following WB’s 2023 investors day presentation, whether he had any concerns regarding the potential impact Rowling’s views may have on the series’ production, Bloys declined to comment, asserting, “No, I don’t think this is the forum.”
“That’s a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into,” he said.
“Our priority is what’s on the screen,” he told attendees. “Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.”
Turning to the show itself, Bloys detailed, “[Rowling] will be involved. She’s an executive producer on the show. Her insights are going to be helpful on that.”
“The TV show is new and we’re excited about that, but, remember, we’ve been in the Potter business for 20 years,” he concluded. “This is not a new decision for us, we’re very comfortable being in the Potter business.”
At current, outside of the fact that it exists and will be written by Succession producer Francesca Gardiner, WB has yet to publicly detail any information regarding the Harry Potter series’ production.
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