Warner Bros has defended JK Rowling who has come under increased scrutiny over her position on women’s rights and gender.
It leapt to the author’s side after a Sky News reporter was blocked from asking Tom Felton about Rowling on the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, sat in silence as a third-party PR said ‘next question please’ off screen when asked about the Rowling’s absence in the anniversary celebrations.
After being asked why the line of questioning was cut short, the third-party PR team said: ‘JK Rowling is not connected to Warner or Tom Felton, the team felt it was not relevant to the piece.’
But Warner Bros have hit out at this statement and told MailOnline it was ‘wholly wrong’ and said the studio is ‘proud’ of working with ‘one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers’ on both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series over the last 20 years.
Warner Bros has defended JK Rowling (pictured at the World Premiere of the film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” in London in March) who has come under increased scrutiny over her position on women’s rights and gender
Harry Potter’s Tom Felton stared blankly after the reporter asked him to comment on JK Rowling’s absence during the anniversary celebrations
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling which was published 25 years ago
Felton was being interviewed on camera this week at the Mandrakes and Magical Creatures feature at Warner Brothers Studios when the blunder occurred.
During the interview, Sky’s Claire Gregory said: ‘And you’re sort of, you’re still, you and the others stars of the film, still very much the face of the franchise, if you like.
‘We speak and hear from you guys. JK obviously has sort of more of a back seat now. Is it strange for her being around at things like this?’
But before the star, 34, could utter an answer, a PR person off screen was heard saying ‘next question please.’
Felton stared blankly and fidgeted with his hands as the reporter was forced to laugh and respond: ‘Oh okay.’
Earlier in the week, a third-party PR said on Monday they ‘felt it was not relevant’ to ask Felton about JK Rowling – despite the chat being about the release of the author’s first book.
However, Warner Bros – who has worked with the author on the Harry Potter films and during the Fantastic Beasts franchise which recently had The Secrets of Dumbledore released and plans more films from the Wizarding World – hit out at these comments.
After being contacted on Monday, a Warner Bros. Studio Tour London spokesperson told the MailOnline today: ‘Warner Bros. has enjoyed a creative, productive, and fulfilling partnership with J.K. Rowling for the past 20 years.
‘She is one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers, and we are proud to be the studio to bring her vision, characters, and stories to life now – and for decades to come.
Felton pictured at the world premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in March
‘On Monday, a statement was issued by a third-party media agency that appeared contrary to this view. The statement was wholly wrong, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London regrets it happened as part of a media event that day.’
JK Rowling – the mastermind behind the seven best-seller Harry Potter books – has come under intense scrutiny over her position on women’s rights and gender.
The author believes in some circumstances that women and girls should have the right to single-sex spaces, causing her to be at the centre of transphobic rows over the past few years.
Rowling, 56, faced accusations of transphobia after she mocked an online article in June 2020 which used the words ‘people who menstruate’ instead of ‘women’.
She later defended herself against the claims in a passionate essay – but has been criticised by some ever since.
Writer JK Rowling has faced accusations of transphobia in recent years over her believes about women and girls
Felton was being interviewed on camera this week at the Mandrakes and Magical Creatures (seen in picture) feature at Warner Brothers Studios when the blunder occurred
Felton, playing Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
In a story after the Tom Felton interview, Sky News said: ‘PRs don’t and shouldn’t – for all sorts of reasons not least press freedom – dictate Sky News editorial direction.’
Earlier this year, Attorney General Suella Braverman praised JK Rowling for her views on the transgender issues as she says schools should not have to pander to pupils who see themselves in a different birth gender.
The Tory minister said the Harry Potter author was a ‘heroine’ for campaigning for female only spaces for those born women and added that schools should be able to treat all children by their birth gender.
She said schools should not address trans pupils by their chosen pronouns or permit them to wear a school uniform of a different gender.
And she added that since those aged under 18 cannot legally change their gender, schools are entitled to treat all children by their birth gender.
The Attorney General also told The Times that Rowling, who has come under fierce criticism for her views on gender, is ‘very brave, very courageous’ and she is on ‘her side’ on the trans issue.
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