J.K. Rowling has made no bones about her political feelings in recent years, and this week the topic came up again after one of the the new Harry Potter series actors Paapa Essiedu signed an “open letter” calling for the protection of trans rights amidst recent UK political rulings.

J.K. Rowling said in a new post on X that she does not have the power to fire Paapa Essiedu from HBO’s “Harry Potter” television series, nor would she exercise such power if she had it. “I May Destroy You” Emmy nominee Essiedu is set to play Severus Snape on the show.

The 'Harry Potter' scribe says she refuses to punish HBO's Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu over their break on trans ideology.