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huffingtonpost - 7 hours ago

Keira Knightley Addresses Backlash Over Her Role In Harry Potter Audiobook Series

Keira KnightleyKeira Knightley has spoken out after she and her co-stars faced a wave of criticism for lending their voices to a new audiobook series based on the Harry Potter books.The Oscar nominee plays the villainous Dolores Umbridge in a new Harry Potter series for Audible, which also features the likes of Hugh Laurie, Riz Ahmed, Kit Harington, Simon Pegg, Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy.However, the actors’ involvement in the project has been met with backlash from some critics due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the franchise’s creator JK Rowling.Rowling has become a controversial figure in recent history due to her ongoing commentary about transgender people on social media.This has included repeatedly and deliberately misgendering public figures who are trans, and donating tens of thousands of pounds to the campaign group which raised the initial legal challenge that led to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that the legal definition of a woman should include only those who were assigned female at birth.JK Rowling in 2019During a recent interview with Decider to promote her new film The Woman In Cabin 10, Keira was asked whether she was aware that many people were “calling for a Harry Potter boycott”, as a result of the controversy surrounding Rowling.“I was not aware of that, no,” the Love Actually star responded. “I’m very sorry.”Keira continued: “You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we? And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.”HuffPost UK has contacted Keira Knightley’s team for additional comment.Back in August, fellow British actor Michelle Gomez spoke out about the controversy in a message addressed to her “LGBTQ+ fans, and especially the trans community”.“I want to speak directly to the concerns that have been raised about my involvement in this project,” she wrote on Instagram. “I hear you, and I understand why this is painful for many. I want to be clear that I stand with trans people, and I support trans rights – fully and without hesitation.“When I accepted this role, I did so as someone who has always loved the stories and what they meant to so many – especially those who found comfort and identity in that world. I now understand more clearly how deeply complicated and hurtful this association can feel, and I take that seriously.”She concluded: “Being an ally means listening even when it’s uncomfortable and taking accountability where it’s needed. I’m committed to doing both.”The Harry Potter stories are currently also being adapted for the small screen at HBO, with several cast members from that show also receiving backlash over their involvement in the series, on which Rowling serves as an executive producer.READ MORE:JK Rowling Has More To Say About Her Rift With Harry Potter Star Emma WatsonEmma Thompson Makes Very Honest Admission Over How She Really Feels About Her Harry Potter RoleNick Frost Addresses Controversy Over JK Rowling s Views After Joining Harry Potter TV Series


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