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A new two-part documentary has been commissioned by the BBC about the career and legacy of “polarising” Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
The controversial author, who has alienated a sizeable portion of her fanbase and film castdue to her views on gender and the trans community, is not involved in the documentary’s creation.
The first part of the documentary will look at the author’s “bookish childhood” and the creation of the Harry Potter series.
“As the books inspired a generation of outsiders and brought millions of young fans together through the emerging internet, Rowling created a universe with an economic legacy worth billions,” according to the press release.
The second episode will explore her post-Harry Potter career.
“Amid the rise of social media and intensifying culture wars, her interventions on Scottish independence, feminism, free speech and gender identity place her at the centre of increasingly bitter online exchanges.”
The announcement of the documentary, which is set to premiere next year, after the launch of HBO’s new Harry Potter adaptation in December, follows accusations of “trans rights censorship” levelled at the BBC, after they blurred out the pro-trans slogan ‘Protect The Dolls’ from a t-shirt worn by House Of The Dragon’s Bethany Antonia during an episode of the show Strictly Come Dancing.
The new HBO Harry Potter series has been the subject of debate and controversy, with many fans speaking out against Rowling – who is executive producer on the series – and calling for the show to be boycotted because of the author’s “transphobia”.
In August, actor Nicolas Hoult was criticised for joining the cast of the show. Hoult ended up stepping down and was replaced by Kit Harrington – who has also faced backlash.
John Lithgow, who will be playing Albus Dumbledore in the show, recently said that he considered quitting the show over the backlash he received due to Rowling’s anti-trans views. However, he revealed he decided to stay, describing the books as “clearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry.”