As J.K Rowling says she wouldn’t accept an apology from the Harry Potter film stars, we take a look at what Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have actually said about the trans community

The bond between Harry Potter author J.K Rowling and the stars of the book’s film adaptation has broken over recent years, with things now seemingly unrepairable.

Taking to social media on Wednesday night, Rowling took aim at actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, following the publication of a divisive report on NHS England’s gender services for children and young people.

Replying to a follower on Twitter (X) who suggested Rowling would accept an apology from Radcliffe and Watson over their support of the trans community, the gender critical author criticised celebrities who “used their platforms to cheer on” the transitioning of children, suggesting she would not forgive the film franchise’s stars even if they apologised.

Neither Radcliffe or Watson have spoken publicly about Rowling over recent months, with both previously carefully not to name the writer when discussing their activism or showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community. As Rowling waits to refuse an apology that will likely never manifest, here’s everything Radcliffe and Watson have said about Rowling’s comments about transgender people.

Daniel Radcliffe’s comments
Rowling revealed herself to be a gender critical feminist back in 2020, after previously brushing off liking transphobic tweets as ‘senior moments’ and accidental. By June 2020, Rowling was out and proud – retweeting an op-ed piece that used the term “people who menstruate”.

Seemingly taking issue with the development of the English language and different terms being used in different contexts, Rowling added her own thoughts to the thread. “People who menstruate. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she wrote, seemingly miffed about the omission of the word woman.

The tweet from Rowling sparked a backlash online and upset many transgender people who grew up reading the author’s work. Radcliffe, who played the titular role in the Harry Potter movies, quickly issued a statement to make his feelings clear on the matter, and lent his love and support to the LGBTQ+ community.

Writing on The Trevor Project’s website, Radcliffe stated: “I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment.”

The dad-of-one continued: “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.”

Radcliffe went on to admit he was “still learning how to be a better ally” and shared resources with readers where they could learn more about how to support transgender and nonbinary people. Addressing Harry Potter fans directly, the actor concluded with: “To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.

“I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you. If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.”

Speaking in 2022, two years on from Rowling’s initial tweets and the beginning of her anti-trans activism, Radcliffe explained why he felt the need to publish the open letter and speak out against the writer who inadvertently launched his acting career. “The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing ‘Potter,’ I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that,” Radcliffe told IndieWire. “And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.”

Emma Watson’s comments
Emma Watson, who portrayed Hermione Granger in the movies about wizards and witches, also spoke out following Rowling’s mask-off moment in 2020. “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” Watson tweeted in the days that followed Rowling’s original controversial tweet.

She further showed support by tweeting: “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are. ” The actress also encouraged her fans to visit the Mermaids website, a charity aiding transgender youth in the UK.