ACTORS who have starred in JK Rowling adaptations have signed an open letter standing “in solidarity” with members of the LGBT+ community impacted by the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender.
The Harry Potter writer, 59, has spoken in support of the recent Supreme Court ruling that the term “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to a biological woman.
After the case ended, Rowling posted a photograph of herself smoking a cigar, writing: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
The billionaire author reportedly donated to For Women Scotland (FWS), the anti-trans campaign group who took the case to the Supreme Court, initially after challenging Scottish Government laws on gender representation on public boards.
Among those to have signed the letter are Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, who led the Fantastic Beasts films, Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film series, Ghosts actress Charlotte Ritchie, who appeared as a student in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, and Breeders star Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry Of Magic lift in the Harry Potter films.
Another signatory was Bridgerton actress Bessie Carter, the daughter of Dame Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge in the popular film series.
The letter, addressed to film and TV industry bodies, said that the signatories wish to “add our voices to the 2000+ signatories of the Open Letter from UK Writers to the Trans Community published last week”, which was signed by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and Chewing Gum’s Michaela Coel.
Signatories of the film and TV letter include The Brutalist actor Joe Alwyn, Babygirl star Harris Dickinson, The Last Of Us actor Bella Ramsey, Happy Valley star James Norton, and Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, who previously said she was “disgusted” by the ruling.
The letter said: “We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK.”
The letter called on organisations including Bafta and the BBC to join them in “condemning” the Supreme Court ruling by “using their public platforms to make meaningful commitments to protecting trans, non-binary, and intersex members, talent and staff from discrimination within their respective organisations".
It said: “Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds. This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history.”
Bafta and the BBC have been approached for comment.
