{"id":42554,"date":"2026-08-13T06:20:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T01:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=42554"},"modified":"2026-08-13T06:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T01:20:22","slug":"nicholas-hoult-criticised-for-joining-hbos-harry-potter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=42554","title":{"rendered":"Nicholas Hoult criticised for joining HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/artists\/nicholas-hoult\">Nicholas Hoult<\/a> is the latest cast member to be announced for the upcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/tag\/harry-potter\"><i>Harry Potter<\/i><\/a> series.<\/p>\n<p>However, fans on social media are criticising the actor for the decision in light of author <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/artists\/j-k-rowling\">J.K. Rowling\u2019s<\/a> controversial views on gender.<\/p>\n<p>The upcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/tag\/HBO\">HBO<\/a> adaptation of the works by Rowling will consist of seven seasons, one for each of the original books. Rowling will serve as executive producer on the series.<\/p>\n<p>This week, Hoult, 36, has become the latest cast member to be announced for the new show, playing Gilderoy Lockhart. In the original films, the part was played by actor Kenneth Branagh.<\/p>\n<p>On\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=quDgTwS2A9E&amp;source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fscreenrant.com%2Fharry-potter-nicholas-hoult-failed-audition-harry-malfoy-factoid%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Hot Ones<\/em><\/a> in 2024, Hoult revealed that he had unsuccessfully auditioned for multiple roles in the film versions of <em>Harry Potter<\/em>, including Harry and Draco Malfoy. \u201cI remember doing a couple of auditions, and then meeting him and maybe having fake glasses for the audition,\u201d he recalled on the show.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot getting the role of Harry, and then maybe coming back and [them] being like: \u2018Will you audition for Malfoy?\u2019 I don\u2019t think I got that either, and then they were like just gradually audition for every role in <em>Harry Potter<\/em> until they were like: \u2018No.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>On social media, since the announcement, Hoult has been criticised for his involvement in the show with <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Malicious_Hero\/status\/2087313242742042921?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one user writing<\/a>: \u201cThis is disappointing to see. Its a shame to see him working on something that will benefit anti LGBT+ groups.\u201d A second <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/kachowbeans\/status\/2087577636092424579?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wrote<\/a>: \u201cAll of my goodwill towards him is fully gone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A fan account for the star, @houltdaily, added: \u201cPausing any posts on this account for the time being. Nicholas Hoult do better, so many of your fans are hurt.\u201d Hoult has yet to comment on the announcement publicly.<\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_3937409\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3937409\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3937409\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series.jpg\" alt=\"Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in 'Harry Potter' TV series\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series-400x254.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series-800x508.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series-696x442.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series-1392x884.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Harry-Potter-TV-series-1068x678.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3937409\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV series. CREDIT: Aidan Monaghan\/HBO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>It comes as other stars cast in the show have already distanced themselves from Rowling\u2019s views.<\/p>\n<p>Bel Powley <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/harry-potter-star-bel-powley-strongly-disagrees-with-j-k-rowlings-gender-views-i-think-the-trans-community-deserve-safety-and-dignity-3961839\">has recently said she \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with J.K. Rowling\u2018s views on gender, voicing her support for the trans community.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The actor, who rose to fame in 2015 film <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/features\/why-the-diary-of-a-teenage-girl-is-the-most-important-feminist-film-of-2015-689\"><i>The Diary Of A Teenage Girl<\/i>,<\/a> will play Petunia Dursley in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/brands\/hbo\">HBO<\/a>\u2018s forthcoming TV adaptation of the book saga. Speaking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/tv\/2026\/08\/10\/bel-powley-possession-interview\/\"><i>The Telegraph<\/i><\/a>, she said: \u201cI strongly disagree with J.K. Rowling\u2019s views on gender. I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She went on to say that her difference in views has not affected her love for the series in general, adding: \u201cBut I love <i>Harry Potter<\/i>. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other actors to have spoken out include John Lithgow, who will be playing Albus Dumbledore. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/dumbledore-actor-considered-quitting-hbo-harry-potter-series-over-j-k-rowlings-anti-trans-views-3935682\">He said he considered leaving the project after receiving criticism for his involvement<\/a>, but chose to stay as he said the books are \u201cclearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Lithgow did, however, describe Rowling\u2019s views as \u201cironic and inexplicable\u201d, although he said he felt some of her comments had been \u201ctwisted and misrepresented\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/artists\/nick-frost\">Nick Frost<\/a>, who plays Rubeus Hagrid, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/nick-frost-hits-out-at-j-k-rowling-over-trans-views-following-harry-potter-tv-show-casting-3868529\">also said his opinions \u201cdon\u2019t align in any way, shape or form\u201d with Rowling\u2019s<\/a>, while Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu was among more than 400 UK entertainment figures to sign an open letter calling for the protection of trans rights after the 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/harry-potter-actor-wont-be-fired-for-pro-trans-views-says-j-k-rowling-i-dont-have-the-power-3860551\">Rowling later said she would not have fired him for his actions even if she had the power to do so<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The issue has also caused a rift between Rowling and the original <i>Harry Potter <\/i>cast, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/daniel-radcliffe-jk-rowling-makes-me-really-sad-3752314\">Daniel Radcliffe saying the distance between them made him \u201creally sad\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The first season, adapting <i>Harry Potter And The Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/i>, premieres on HBO Max on Christmas Day. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/every-actor-confirmed-for-hbos-harry-potter-tv-series-3855980\">Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton lead the cast as Harry, Ron and Hermione respectively<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('consent', 'revoke');\n  fbq('init', '370979561341328');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nicholas Hoult is the latest cast member to be announced for the upcoming Harry Potter series. However, fans on social media are criticising the actor for the decision in light of author J.K. Rowling\u2019s controversial views on gender. The upcoming HBO adaptation of the works by Rowling will consist of seven seasons, one for each&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nicholas-Hoult-Photo-by-Kristina-Bumphrey_Variety-via-Getty-Images.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/42555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}