Warner Bros. Discovery announced a new Harry Potter television series on Wednesday with series creator J.K. Rowling involved. During the announcement, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content Casey Bloys declined to comment on the authorβs views.
Speaking during a Q&A session with the press after the announcement (via Variety), Bloys was asked about the ability to find talent for the series based on Rowlingβs involvement. The author of the books has become a largely controversial figure for repeatedly sharing her views that trans women are not women and trans men are not men. Bloys didnβt offer up much on the topic, instead saying that their priority is whatβs on the screen.
βNo, I donβt think this is the forum,β Bloys stated. βThatβs a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something weβre going to get into. Our priority is whatβs on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. Thatβs our priority β whatβs on screen.β
Bloys also didnβt offer up much in terms of how Rowling will be involved beyond simply saying she would be, and that getting into business with the Harry Potter franchise is not something thatβs been new for them.
β[Rowling] will be involved. Sheβs an executive producer on the show,β said Bloys. βHer insights are going to be helpful on that. The TV show is new and weβre excited about that, but, remember, weβve been in the [Harry Potter] business for 20 years. This is not a new decision for us, weβre very comfortable being in the [Harry Potter] business.β
TheΒ seven-book Harry Potter seriesΒ was adapted into eight filmsΒ that earned over $7 billion at the worldwide box office. Warner Bros. also has theΒ Fantastic BeastsΒ prequel series of films under its belt.
