J.K. Rowling Shares High Praise for Upcoming Harry Potter Series, Says She Worked ‘Closely’ with the Writers

J.K. Rowling is teasing the upcoming Harry Potter series — and clarifying her involvement.

The British author, who penned the best-selling books the series is based on, said she has read some of the scripts for the upcoming adaptation — and has given them her stamp of approval.

“I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” Rowling, 59, said in an X post on Saturday, June 21.

When a fan asked whether she is “doing the writing” for the series — which is set to film this year and air in 2026, per Variety — she clarified the nature of her involvement in a reply.

“No,” Rowling wrote, “but I’ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers.”

Despite the Harry Potter author’s controversies regarding her vocal anti-transgender stance, Bloomberg reported back in April 2023 (when the adaptation was first announced) that Rowling would be involved with the series to ensure its accuracy to her original storyline.

It was later announced that Rowling will serve as an executive producer on the upcoming show, along with Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod. Gardiner is also a writer for the series, while Mylod is set to direct several episodes.

They both previously got Rowling’s approval. In a June 2024 X post, Rowling revealed that she’d “interviewed” both Gardiner and Mylod and was “thrilled to announce [them] as our director and writer.”

“Both have a genuine passion for #HarryPotter, and having read Francesca’s pilot script and heard Mark’s vision, I’m certain the TV show will more than live up to expectations,” the novelist added at the time.

Since the author’s involvement was announced, the series has faced continued backlash over her anti-transgender comments. In April, the head of HBO weighed in, stating that the network’s choice to work with Rowling “is not new.”

In an episode of The Town podcast, CEO Casey Bloys was asked if he’s constantly monitoring the author’s X account, and replied, “The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We’ve been in business for 25 years. We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC.”

Bloys also said that Rowling’s “personal political views” will not impact the content of the series, stating, “Harry Potter is not being secretly infused with anything.”

“I think it’s pretty clear that those are her personal political views. She’s entitled to them,” he added at the time. “And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”

Rowling’s latest show of support for the upcoming series comes as — much like alumni of the original Harry Potter films — the cast of the new adaptation share differing opinions on the novelist and her anti-transgender views.

John Lithgow, who will play Albus Dumbledore in the series, told The Times that he “absolutely” did “not” expect to face questions about the author’s political views when he took on the role, instead wondering, “Why is this a factor at all?” And, when asked if the backlash made him rethink the gig, he said, “Oh, heavens no.”

Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu, who will play Severus Snape in the upcoming series, signed an open letter condemning the U.K. Supreme Court for ruling that transgender women and men are not legally considered women and men. Rowling later addressed speculation that his differing views would affect his Harry Potter casting.

“I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” she wrote alongside an article about Essiedu on X in May. “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”

Several stars in the original Harry Potter franchise — including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson — have spoken out in support of transgender rights, making it clear they had different views from Rowling.

In April 2024, the author addressed their comments, writing that the three actors could “save their apologies” for their public statements against her and her views.

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HBO announced last month that the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had been cast in the forthcoming series, with Dominic McLaughlin playing Harry, Arabella Stanton portraying Hermione and Alastair Stout starring as Ron. (All three actors are newcomers, per the streamer.)

Gardiner and Mylod said in a press release that they were “delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron” following an “extraordinary search” for the iconic roles.

“The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen,” the duo continued of McLaughlin, Stanton and Stout. “We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”

An official release date for HBO’s Harry Potter series has yet to be announced.