Harry Potter actor Bel Powley, who plays Petunia Dursley in HBO's upcoming TV adaptation of the book series, has publicly said she "strongly disagrees" with J.K. Rowling's views on gender, in an interview with The Telegraph published on Monday. Her comments add to a series of remarks from cast members addressing Rowling's stance on trans issues, which critics have called anti-trans, as the show, on which Rowling serves as executive producer, approaches its Christmas premiere.

Powley said she believes "the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance," while stressing her continued love for the "Harry Potter" books, which she grew up reading. Fellow cast member John Lithgow, who plays Dumbledore, has similarly criticised Rowling's views, revealing in an April interview that he considered leaving the project but ultimately stayed. The HBO series, directed by Mark Mylod and showrun by Francesca Gardiner, also stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and has already been renewed for a second season adapting "Chamber of Secrets".