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Emma Watson played “nice” to JK Rowling only for the disgraced author to attack her relentlessly

Emma Watson as Hermione in 'Harry Potter'

One of the reasons why many believe we’re getting this HBO Max series for Harry Potter is because of the original Golden Trio’s stance on trans rights. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all shown their support for the trans community. JK Rowling has actively harmed said community.

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Watson was on the podcast On Purpose With Jay Shetty when she shared compassion for Rowling. And she did so with a lot of the internet upset with her for her. “I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with,”  Watson said. “I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish.”

Many rightfully criticized Watson for showing love for Rowling when the author has done nothing but turn her back on the three actors who did help line her pockets. In Rowling’s mind, she clearly thinks that she is better than the three of them whether or not she wants to say that out loud. And it was proven by how she responded to Watson’s comments.

Rowling said she was annoyed that Radcliffe and Watson “continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created.”

“I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was 21 for what opinions I should hold these days. Emma Watson and her co-stars have every right to embrace gender identity ideology. Such beliefs are legally protected, and I wouldn’t want to see any of them threatened with loss of work, or violence, or death, because of them.”

“However, Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right – nay, obligation – to critique me and my views in public,” Rowling continued. “Years after they finished acting in Potter, they continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created.”

They’re upholding what this universe did for fans, something you destroy, Jo

Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore holds a baby and Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall looks on in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
(Warner Bros.)

What Rowling continues to fail to realize is that fans of this franchise don’t actually need her words anymore. What many of us learned from this franchise was to have comparison and love for everyone which does, in our hearts, include the trans community that Rowling’s continued attacks are harming. She is actively paying to hurt trans people with her money that fans gave her.

So to have people like Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint take a stand against her is exactly what the Golden Trio, Rowling wrote about, would do to the evils of the world. Which is why I find it so funny that Rowling continues to see these things as an affront to her. Girl, you wrote novels that told us to oppose people choosing to harm others and that’s exactly what you’re doing.

Watson’s “compassion” for Rowling is clearly not shared and I hope she now realizes that someone like JK Rowling is just going to see any view against her own as an affront to her.

(featured image: Warner Bros.)

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Rachel Leishman
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Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is the Editor in Chief of the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.

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