Nicola Coughlan, a prominent actress from the popular series Bridgerton, has voiced her strong opposition to HBO’s forthcoming adaptation of Harry Potter. This follows J.K. Rowling’s recent celebration of the U.K. Supreme Court ruling, which asserts that the definition of a woman is intrinsically linked to biological sex rather than gender identity.
The Irish-born actress, recognized not only for her acting talents but also for her advocacy for transgender rights, expressed her discontent via Instagram. She shared a thought-provoking article from The Cut, titled “This Is a New Low for J.K. Rowling,”along with a pointed remark:
“Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole.”
Rowling has faced increasing criticism after posting a celebratory message on X, showcasing her contentment with the Supreme Court’s ruling while enjoying a moment on an oceanfront balcony. Her post read:
“I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”
Nicola Coughlan’s Advocacy for Trans Rights
To provide context, HBO had announced last November that they were collaborating with J.K. Rowling on a Harry Potter television series, asserting her right to share her personal views. However, this stance has been met with significant backlash from both fans and actors involved in the original films.
Daniel Radcliffe, who famously portrayed Harry Potter, has been an outspoken supporter of transgender rights. In a 2020 interview with The Atlantic, he stated:
“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people.”
His co-stars, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, have echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their support for the transgender community. In a recent interaction on X, Rowling appeared to express her disappointment in the trio’s comments.
The U.K. Supreme Court’s ruling last Wednesday was a landmark decision, clarifying the interpretation of the term “women”in the Equality Act 2010 strictly as biological women, which excludes transgender women from this classification.
In response to these developments, Coughlan did not hesitate to voice her concern. Along with sharing her dissatisfaction on her Instagram story, she actively reaffirmed her support for trans individuals, stating:
“To see an already marginalized community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach-churning and disgusting, and to see people celebrate it is more stomach-churning and disgusting.”
Moreover, Coughlan has taken proactive steps by initiating a fundraiser for the charity Not A Phase, dedicated to empowering the trans community through awareness campaigns, social projects, and initiatives led by trans individuals. The initial fundraising goal was set at £10,000, which Coughlan offered to match. Remarkably, the target was achieved within an hour, prompting her to raise the goal to £70,000, with the fundraiser amassing over £63,000 by the end of the week, according to Pink News.
Coughlan isn’t alone in her criticisms; fellow Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran also condemned the ruling in a TikTok post, labeling it as “loser behavior”. She articulated:
“I have never felt unsafe around a trans woman, ever. My womanhood has never felt threatened by a trans woman, ever. And if your womanhood has, I think that speaks more to the fragility of your womanhood than anything about trans women.”
She challenged the anti-trans activists who claim to be advocates for women’s safety and sports, questioning their lack of efforts directed at securing funding for women’s sports or improving regulations to combat sexual predators.
As of now, J.K. Rowling has yet to respond to Nicola Coughlan’s comments or the criticisms levied by others in the entertainment industry.