Keira Knightley has apologised as she admitted she wasn’t aware of a Harry Potter boycott after being cast in the upcoming audiobook.
The actress, 40, will voice the role of Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions – a collaboration between Audible and Pottermore Publishing, the latter of which is owed by controversial author J. K. Rowling.
But after the announcement, fans took to social media to criticise Keira for her allegiance with the author – who has faced intense criticism in recent years for her gender critical views, including from several stars of the Harry Potter films.
The author has denied being transphobic, but she previously said she would ‘happily’ go to jail for misgendering a trans person and is using the new Harry Potter TV series to fund organisations dedicated to removing trans rights.
Now, Keira has revealed she actually was unaware that people have been boycotting JK’s work in a show of solidarity to trans people.
‘I was not aware of that, no. I’m very sorry,’ she told Decider when asked about the boycott.
Keira Knightley has admitted she wasn’t aware of the Harry Potter boycott ahead of being cast in the upcoming audiobook (Seen in November 2024)
The actress, 40, will voice the role of Dolores Umbridge (Pictured) in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions – a collaboration between Audible and Pottermore Publishing
‘You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we?
‘And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.’
Having been portrayed by Imelda Staunton in two of the eight films, Umbridge is a terror in the Wizarding World – with horror author Stephen King branding her the ‘greatest make-believe villain to come along since Hannibal Lecter’.
Professor Umbridge, whose character was introduced in the 2003 book Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix, was originally played by Imelda Staunton in the 2007 movie of the book and 2010’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
The first book in the seven-part series was 1997’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, while 2007’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the final tome.
The movie franchise, fronted by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, featured eight films and it has since been revealed the story of The Boy Who Lived will be retold in a HBO series due for release in 2027.
In yet another rehashing, earlier this year the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions was announced, with an all-star cast reading the books.
The original audiobooks were voiced by acting great Stephen Fry.
JK, 59, has faced intense criticism in recent years for her gender critical views, including from several stars of the Harry Potter films
The adult cast of Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions includes Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, and Cush Jumbo as narrator
Stephen has now turned his back on the author, accusing her of ‘mocking’ LGBT+ people and insisting he supports the trans community.
The comedian and television presenter, who previously hosted QI, told how he used to have dinner regularly with the author and described her views towards the trans community as ‘strange’.
Recording podcast The Show People in June, Stephen said: ‘She has been radicalised I fear and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her.
‘It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.’
He added: ‘She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong difficult views. She seemed to wake up or kick a hornet’s nest of transphobia which has been entirely destructive.
‘I disagree profoundly with her on this subject. I am angry she does not disavow some of the more revolting and truly horrible, destructive violently destructive things that people say. She does not attack those at all.
‘She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.
‘She has crowed at the success of legislation in Scotland and elsewhere declaring things about gender.
Speaking at a podcast recording last week, Stephen Fry (right) said he feared JK Rowling is a ‘lost cause’ who has been ‘radicalised by TERFs’
‘So I am very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that. My view about all things of sharp and difficult nature is that is is much more important to be effective than to be right.’
Amid criticism over Keira’s signing on to the audiobook, others penned: ‘In defence of Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and the like, they’re not working directly with that other big TERF, JK Rowling,’;
‘They’ve probably just chosen to serve the work itself and make it accessible for children, as well as for people who are visually impaired or dyslexic,’;
‘The contract is mainly signed with Audible. I don’t think we should jump to the conclusion of Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are transphobic,’;
‘I think they simply didn’t anticipate the disappointment the LGBTQ+ community might feel towards them for taking the job,’;
‘Crazy how Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Kit Harington, Simon Pegg and half of British acting royalty all saw this as just… another cool job,’;
‘It’s not the world-ending issue you think it is, it’s just you being consumed by hatred of one woman with political views you don’t like.’
