Keira Knightley has said she “was not aware” of calls to boycott the Harry Potter franchise over trans issues before signing on to star in a new audiobook series based on JK Rowling’s beloved novels.
The Oscar-nominated actress, 40, is among more than 200 performers lending their voices to Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, a new Amazon Audible project that promises to “reignite the magic” for long-time fans and attract a new generation of listeners.
However, Knightley has since expressed regret after learning about the backlash directed at the franchise’s creator.
Speaking to entertainment site Decider about whether she knew of the boycott before accepting the role, Knightley said: “I was not aware of that, no – I’m very sorry.”
The Pride & Prejudice star, who will voice Hogwarts’ notoriously cruel teacher Dolores Umbridge, added: “I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we?
“And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.”
Her comments come amid renewed tensions between Rowling and the Harry Potter cast. The author, 60, recently accused Emma Watson of helping to “trash women’s rights” by publicly disagreeing with her views on gender identity.
Rowling has become one of the most high-profile gender-critical voices in the world since 2020, drawing both fierce support and condemnation for her stance that biological sex should take precedence over gender identity.
Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the original film series, previously joined co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in opposing Rowling’s comments. The actress appeared to extend an olive branch last month, telling podcaster Jay Shetty that she still “treasured” the author despite their differences.
The upcoming audiobook series will feature an array of big names, including Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart, The Affair’s Ruth Wilson as Bellatrix Lestrange, and One Day star Leo Woodall as Bill Weasley.
Laurie said he felt “honoured” to follow in the footsteps of Sir Stephen Fry, who famously narrated the original Harry Potter audiobooks. Fry has since criticised Rowling for her comments on trans issues, suggesting she has become “radicalised” and “a lost cause.”
Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions will be released on Audible next month.
