John Lithgow on Harry Potter Backlash: 'I Thought About Quitting'

0:00This is Corey with The Story, here with your quick two-minute entertainment update. John Lithgow has revealed he nearly walked away from the new Harry Potter TV series because of the backlash against JK Rowling. The veteran actor is set to portray Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming reboot, which has fans both excited and divided. In a recent interview, Lithgow explained that, while he disagrees with Rowling's views on transgender issues, he sees the Harry Potter books as promoting tolerance and fighting bigotry. Still, the online criticism hid him hard after he announced his casting. That backlash made him seriously think about quitting the show, but in the end, he chose to stay on board. He now expects questions about Rowling to follow him through every future interview for the rest of his career. He's not alone in navigating this tension. Papa Siedu, who will play Severus Snape, signed an open letter pushing for stronger industry support of trans rights. Original cast member Daniel Radcliffe has also distanced himself,

1:00stating his ongoing commitment to LGBTQ rights. As the series moves forward, these personal choices highlight the ongoing divide between the beloved wizarding world and its creator's controversies.