Harry Potter author J.K Rowling has taken a swipe at David Tennant after he blocked her from appearing on Doctor Who over a decade ago

This move seems to have left a lasting impression on the Edinburgh-based writer, who has shown little affection for the Scottish actor over a decade since the incident.
This move seems to have left a lasting impression on the Edinburgh-based writer, who has shown little affection for the Scottish actor over a decade since the incident. (Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)

Doctor Who actor David Tennant once blocked Harry Potter author JK Rowling from making a guest appearance on the popular BBC sci-fi series.

This move seems to have left a lasting impression on the Edinburgh-based writer, who has shown little affection for the Scottish actor over a decade since the incident.

The tension between them was recently reignited when Kemi Badenoch was announced as the new leader of the Conservative party. Tennant, who portrayed Barty Crouch Jr. in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has previously clashed with Badenoch over her views on the LGBTQ+ community. He once expressed his wish for her to simply “shut up.”

As news broke of Badenoch’s appointment, Rowling took to Twitter to post a sarcastic message aimed at Tennant: “My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time.”

However, her attempt at humour didn’t sit well with many, as fans rushed to defend the actor in the comments section, reports the Mirror.

One user wrote: “David Tennant will always be loved whilst you will be hated.”

Another added: “David Tennant is enjoying his life as a successful actor with a loving family, a father who supports his children Meanwhile, Joanne is foaming at the mouth that trans people exist.”

(Image: Getty Images)
A third user remarked: “Funnier when you remember David Tennant was the barrier to Rowling having a starring role in a Doctor Who episode way back when.”

In contrast, another added: “Fun fact. David Tennant said no to JK being associated with Doctor Who, hence her eternal saltiness about him. Making David even more awesome. Here’s an unrelated photograph of David in a t-shirt that says ‘leave trans kids alone, you absolute freaks’. I love him.”

It’s reported that when David, aged 53, objected to JK Rowling’s involvement in Doctor Who, he was concerned it would transform the show into a “spoof.”

The famed author was allegedly seeking a cameo that would eclipse Kylie Minogue’s stint on the programme for a Christmas special. This behind-the-scenes revelation came to light through various emails published by Russell T Davies, who at the time decided to drop the idea “to keep him happy.”

Although this decision pleased David, it inadvertently ignited a rift between the actor and the writer.

(Image: Getty Images)
Russell had envisioned an episode where JK’s creative world materialised, challenging the Doctor to navigate a magical realm blanketed in snow. Russell commented: “David doesn’t like the JK idea. He thinks it sounds like a spoof, so we’ve paused slightly, wondering whether to win him round or just abandon something that he’s not going to be happy with. We’ve got to keep him happy. He keeps us happy.”

Previously, Russell had invited the author to pen an episode for the BBC series, but she “politely declined”.

(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)