Evanna Lynch has rejected claims of a rift between the Harry Potter cast and the franchise’s author JK Rowling.
The actress, 30, who played Luna Lovegood in the films, has denied that she and her co-stars gave the author, 56, the “cold shoulder” – but did say everyone had “strong beliefs”.
Rowling’s “strong beliefs” on gender identity have heavily come under fire, with people including Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe criticising them.
Despite this, Evanna said on GB News that the cast has “great respect” for the millionaire author and she denied there was any sort of “rift” with her.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking on the channel, the star said: “I think there’s things we don’t all agree with and don’t understand.
“I’ve talked to all the cast, they all have great respect for her even if they don’t agree with her beliefs. I really strongly disagree with the narrative that there’s a rift.
“She has her beliefs and she’s doing her thing. We all have strong beliefs and it’s been a very difficult conversation.”
(Image: HBO)
Evanna insisted: “I want there to be healing and I don’t want us to keep fighting, so I reject that narrative that there’s been a cold shoulder.”
The Harry Potter cast recently returned to the franchise for a special reunion to discuss the legacy of the films, with archive clips of Rowling used at points.
But Evanna said the writer’s lack of involvement was not because of her many controversies over the past few years.
(Image: Getty Images)
She said: “I think she’s busy writing books, I don’t think that was about the conversations that have been had about more controversial issues.
“I think she was busy and she was never on the sets very often. She’s still a big part of it.”
In June 2020, Rowling received backlash after sharing an article about menstrual health, adding: “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
She later doubled down on her comments in a longer Twitter thread and blog post, which discussed trans ideology and the “erasure of sex”.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, tweeted at the time: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
