Ally Pankiw has made it clear that she will not be involved in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series.
The director known for her work on Black Mirror uploaded a post on Instagram showing what seems to be a text conversation with her agent where she decisively declines to join the series.
Her agent’s message reads, “I think I know the answer but I have to ask — Harry Potter? A definite no?”
To which Pankiw replies, “Absolutely fucking not! lol… (But thanks for checking).” Her agent responds, “Of course :)… Thought so… (And I agree).”
The Canadian filmmaker, also known for her work on The Great, captioned her post with, “It is simply this easy to say no to funding transphobia,” clarifying that the offer was to direct, not act, with an added “obviously lol” for emphasis.
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Prominent figures such as actor and comedian Vic Michaelis, Welcome to Flatch and Big Mistakes star Taylor Ortega, and director Kate Herron of Loki, Doctor Who, and Sex Education fame showed their support in the comments. Herron shared, “They’ve asked me twice and I’ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a no.”
We have contacted HBO for confirmation that Pankiw was considered for the director’s list.
Pankiw’s statement highlights the controversy surrounding the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which has attracted criticism well before its December release. This is largely due to the Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling’s expressed views on transgender issues, causing a rift between her and stars of the film series like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
Even upcoming series actors like Nick Frost, John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Bel Powley, who have publicly disagreed with Rowling, now regularly face backlash online for their participation in the series.
Rowling, while occasionally defending her stance against accusations of transphobia — once tweeting, “I respect every trans person’s right to live in a way that feels authentic and comfortable to them” — frequently posts content that opposes trans rights, engages in disputes with openly trans individuals, and has supported a UK high court decision that defines women by biological sex.
The Harry Potter series, originating from Rowling’s bestselling novels, lists her as an executive producer along with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, sharing its title with the first film, is set to premiere on Christmas Day on HBO and will be exclusively available for streaming on HBO Max worldwide.
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