Emma Watson is one of several Harry Potter stars to publicly assert a stance in support of trans people, distancing themselves from author JK Rowling’s views.
In a recent interview, Watson said that she still “loves” Harry Potter author JK Rowling and refuses to “cancel her”, maintaining that she can disagree with her views and still hold a place for the person she knew in the past.
Rowling has previously said that she won’t forgive stars like Watson for criticising her views and took to X to comment on the actor’s most recent remarks.
See also: JK Rowling and India Willoughby’s war of words
The author said that she is not “owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created”, deeming the idea “ludicrous”.
While she maintained that Watson and the other stars have every right to express their views, Rowling argued that they have no right to comment on her and her views.
She went on to write that any expression of love or care for Rowling expressed by Watson rings false, arguing that the actor “publicly poured more petrol on the flames”, referring to the threats the writer was receiving.
“Like other people who've never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she's ignorant of how ignorant she is,” she wrote. “I wasn't a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous.”
I'm seeing quite a bit of comment about this, so I want to make a couple of points.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 29, 2025
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 twenty-one for what opinions I should… https://t.co/c0pz19P7jc
This isn’t the first time the two have butted heads; here’s a look back at their relationship over the years.
Timeline of Rowling and Watson’s relationship
2001-2011
Watson played Hermione Granger in the eight films based on Rowling's books.
Both the cast and Rowling herself have frequently made mention over the years over the support Rowling offered to the child stars on set, offering them advice and building a close relationship.
In the recent interview, Watson mentioned the “kindness and words of encouragement" that she remembers receiving from the author as a child.
March 2018
Rowling was criticised for liking a tweet that called transgender women "men in dresses".
This was the first instance that her controversial views landed the author in trouble with public opinion.
She later said that she had "absent-mindedly" liked the post, meaning to screenshot it because she had taken "an interest in gender identity and transgender matters."
December 2019
Rowling publicly took a stance supporting Maya Forstater after she was fired for making a series of anti-trans statements.
Dress however you please.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill
June 2020
Rowling shared a series of tweets and an essay that outlined her views on sex and gender.
Watson responded to her social media posts with a message stating: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned".
Fellow Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also issued a statement in support of trans rights, emphasising that "Transgender women are women".
March 2022
At the BAFTA Film Awards, the host, Rebel Wilson, introduced Watson to the stage with a reference to Rowling, saying, "She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she's a witch".
Watson responded: “I'm here for all the witches!”, a statement that was widely understood to be a subtle but clear nod to Rowling.
The author made a mention of it in her recent post about Watson, more than three years later, saying “that was a turning point for me, but it had a postscript that hurt far more than the speech itself.”
Ms Rowling continued: “Emma asked someone to pass on a handwritten note from her to me, which contained the single sentence 'I'm so sorry for what you're going through' (she has my phone number).
“This was back when the death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak, at a time when my personal security measures had had to be tightened considerably and I was constantly worried for my family's safety.”
April 2024
Rowling stated that she would not forgive Radcliffe and Watson for their comments.
She called them "celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights".
September 2025
That brings us to the most recent comments from Watson about the rift in a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, where she said that she hopes to maintain their association and her positive memories of the author, despite their differing views.
Rowling responded to the interview on X, calling her "ignorant" and criticising both her public stance on the issue and her treatment of Rowling.
