Aud Mason-Hyde, who stars alongside John Lithgow in the play Jimpa, revealed feeling “vaguely hurt” by Lithgow’s casting as Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter series, due to J.K. Rowling’s controversial remarks on transgender issues. This response highlights ongoing tension surrounding the casting amid debates over Rowling’s stance on the transgender community.
Mason-Hyde, a non-binary actor, appreciated their positive working relationship with Lithgow but described his decision to accept the Dumbledore role as both “disconcerting” and a “strange decision.” Despite their good experience together, the controversy created personal conflict for Mason-Hyde.
At 80 years old, Lithgow has responded to the backlash by expressing feeling “upset” at the criticism tied to his involvement in the series, stressing that Rowling’s influence on the production is minimal. He called her views “ironic and inexplicable,” especially considering the Harry Potter stories’ emphasis on kindness and acceptance.
Other actors in the new series, such as Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu, have also spoken out about Rowling’s comments. Essiedu notably signed an open letter urging the entertainment industry to take concrete steps in support of transgender rights. In response to such discourse, Rowling stated she has no authority to remove actors and would not act against anyone for expressing legally protected beliefs that differ from hers. The new Harry Potter series is slated for release in 2027.
“It was vaguely hurtful and a difficult thing to hear,”
Aud Mason-Hyde said regarding Lithgow’s casting decision,
