Rupert Grint on ‘tricky’ relationship with JK Rowling: ‘I don’t necessarily agree with everything she says’
Actor has previously spoken out in support of trans community following comments by ‘Harry Potter’ author
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rupert Grint has compared JK Rowling to an aunt who he doesn’t “necessarily agree with” as he addressed his “tricky” relationship with the author.
The British actor is among the Harry Potter stars to have spoken out against Rowling in the past regarding her views on transgender people.
In 2020, Grint joined his former co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson and issued a statement of response, reading: “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.
“Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement.”
Writing in The Times’ What I’ve Learnt column on Saturday (15 January), Grint explained that his current relationship with Rowling was complex.
“I liken JK Rowling to an auntie,” he said.
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one.”
Last year, Grint defended his decision to speak out in support of the trans community following comments by Rowling.
“I am hugely grateful [for] everything that she’s done. I think that she’s extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are genius,” he said. “But yeah, I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that.”
Grint recently reunited with his Harry Potter castmates for an anniversary special titled Return to Hogwarts.
While Rowling did not appear in person alongside the cast, she was shown in a VT, while a number of the actors also spoke about the writer’s impact.
Luna Lovegood actor Evanna Lynch this week dismissed rumours of a “rift” between Rowling and the film’s cast, saying that while everyone on set held “strong beliefs”, she had not been given the “cold shoulder”.
In a recent interview, Emma Watson admitted that she was “taken aback” by a particular comment made by Grint during the reunion special.