The entertainment world is once again at the center of controversy following Chilean actor Pedro Pascal’s harsh remarks against JK Rowling, the celebrated author of the Harry Potter series. In a comment posted on April 24, 2025, on Instagram, Pascal called Rowling an “egregious loser” and described her behavior as “horrible, disgusting, and shitty” in response to the author’s celebration of a UK Supreme Court ruling excluding trans women from the legal definition of “women.” This episode, which has fueled the debate on trans rights, has led Pascal to support a boycott of all things Harry Potter, joining a movement seeking to pressure companies associated with Rowling.
The controversy began when Rowling, known for her views against the recognition of trans women as women, celebrated the April 16 court ruling with an X-ray photo of herself smoking a cigar and holding a drink, accompanied by the message: “I love it when a plan comes to fruition. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.” According to reports, Rowling funded the group For Women Scotland, which promoted the lawsuit that resulted in the ruling. This action provoked the outrage of activist Tariq Ra’ouf, who in an Instagram video compared Rowling’s attitude to that of Voldemort, the villain of her own saga, and called for a boycott of projects related to Harry Potter, including the new HBO series. Commenting on the video, Pascal did not hesitate to express his repudiation: “This is shitty, horrible, and regrettable behavior, it is exactly like that.”
Pascal’s support for the trans community is nothing new. His sister, Lux Pascal, came out as a trans woman in 2021, and the actor has since used his platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights. At the London premiere of Thunderbolts on April 22, he wore a T-shirt with the message “Protect the Dolls,” a Conner Ives design that supports trans women, reinforcing his commitment to the cause. This gesture, combined with his criticism of Rowling, has been applauded by fans and activists, although it has also drawn criticism from those who support the writer. On X, hashtags like #PedroVsRowling and #BoycottHarryPotter have dominated the trends, reflecting the polarization of the debate.
Other celebrities have joined the backlash against Rowling. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan declared that she wouldn’t touch the new Harry Potter series “with a 10-foot pole,” while actors from the original series such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have distanced themselves from the author over her stances. Radcliffe even wrote an essay for The Trevor Project expressing his support for the trans community. For her part, Rowling has responded sarcastically to the criticism, stating on X that she has stockpiled “a huge amount of champagne” to fight the boycotts and dismissing her detractors, including Pascal, whom she alluded to by saying that “not even Google knows who he is.”
The boycott proposed by Ra’ouf and supported by Pascal seeks to discourage fans from consuming Harry Potter products, from the HBO series to rides at Universal Studios parks. However, the success of Hogwarts Legacy , the best-selling video game of 2023 despite similar boycott attempts, suggests the economic impact may be limited. HBO boss Casey Bloys downplayed concerns, saying he was confident the series, which will adapt the seven novels into separate seasons, would appeal to fans. Still, Ra’ouf insists on filling every post about the show with messages like “trans rights are human rights” and “trans women are women.”
This clash reflects a broader debate about trans rights and the role of public figures. Pascal, with his growing influence thanks to series like The Last of Us and The Mandalorian , has cemented himself as a key ally for the LGBTQ+ community. His criticism of Rowling, along with his visibility at events like the Thunderbolts premiere , underscores his commitment to inclusivity. As the controversy continues to divide fans and celebrities, the legacy of Harry Potter finds itself at a crossroads, caught between the genius of its fictional world and the positions of its creator.
