{"id":2094272,"date":"2026-08-14T19:26:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T16:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2094272"},"modified":"2026-08-14T19:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T16:26:14","slug":"black-mirror-director-turns-down-offer-to-work-on-harry-potter-series-absolutely-fucking-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2094272","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 director turns down offer to work on \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 series: \u201cAbsolutely fucking not\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-still@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>TV News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 director turns down offer to work on \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 series: \u201cAbsolutely fucking not\u201d<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;It simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Max Pilley<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-14T20:26:14+01:00\">14th August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-still@2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"&apos;Harry Potter and the Philosopher&apos;s Stone&apos; still. CREDIT: HBO\" title=\"harry-potter-still@2000x1270\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">&#8216;Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#8217;s Stone&#8217; still. CREDIT: HBO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><i>Black Mirror<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>director Ally Pankiw has said she rejected an opportunity to work on\u00a0HBO\u2018s upcoming\u00a0<i>Harry Potter<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>series because of\u00a0J.K. Rowling\u2018s views on gender.<\/p>\n<p>Pankiw, who directed the 2023\u00a0<i>Black Mirror\u00a0<\/i>episode \u2018Joan\u00a0Is\u00a0Awful\u2019,\u00a0shared a screenshot on Instagram of what appeared\u00a0to be an exchange with her representative, who wrote: \u201cI have an instinct\u00a0on the\u00a0answer\u00a0but I feel compelled to ask. Harry\u00a0Potter?\u00a0Hard\u00a0no?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cAbsolutely fucking not! Lol\u2026 (But thank you for asking),\u201d Pankiw replied. Her representative responded: \u201cOf course :)\u2026 I assumed as much\u2026 (And agree).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Canadian filmmaker captioned the post: \u201cIt simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!\u201d, and\u00a0later clarified that the offer was \u201cfor directing, not acting\u2026obviously lol.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 director Ally Pankiw reveals she turned down directing the \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 HBO series:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!\u201d pic.twitter.com\/akGyYNSK86<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Pop Base (@PopBase) August 14, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In the comments,\u00a0<i>Loki<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>director Kate Herron said she had also been\u00a0approached about\u00a0the series on more than one occasion. \u201cThey\u2019ve asked me twice and I\u2019ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a no,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Pankiw\u2019s reference to \u201ctransphobia\u201d relates to Rowling\u2019s\u00a0controversial views on gender and public hostility to the trans community. The author is serving as an executive producer on the new HBO show, and her\u00a0views have led to calls for a boycott of the series, while many actors have faced criticism for\u00a0their\u00a0involvement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier this week,\u00a0Nicholas Hoult was announced as Gilderoy Lockhart and was criticised by some fans for agreeing to be a part of the show. He has not publicly responded to the backlash.<\/p>\n<p>Several other cast members have distanced themselves from Rowling\u2019s views, with\u00a0Petunia Dursley actor Bel Powley saying she \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with Rowling on the issue, adding: \u201cI think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>John Lithgow, who is playing Albus Dumbledore,\u00a0said he considered leaving the project after receiving criticism but\u00a0ultimately chose\u00a0to stay. He has described Rowling\u2019s views as \u201cironic and inexplicable\u201d, while saying the books themselves are \u201cclearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Nick Frost, who is portraying Rubeus Hagrid,\u00a0said his opinions \u201cdon\u2019t align in any way, shape or form\u201d with Rowling\u2019s. Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu, meanwhile,\u00a0signed an open letter calling for the UK entertainment industry to protect trans rights.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>HBO\u2019s adaptation is planned to run for seven seasons, with each instalment covering one of Rowling\u2019s original books. The first, based on\u00a0<i>Harry Potter\u00a0And\u00a0The\u00a0Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/i>, premieres on HBO Max on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Black Mirror<\/li>\n<li>Harry Potter<\/li>\n<li>HBO<\/li>\n<li>J. K. Rowling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Phoebe-Bridgers-Credit-Olof-Grind-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Phoebe-Bridgers-Credit-Olof-Grind-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Phoebe Bridgers \u2013 \u2018Lost Weekend\u2019 review: indie\u2019s poet laureate returns with a staggering, strange and stirring opus<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Este_Haim_Getty-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Este_Haim_Getty-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Este Haim on scoring Bella Ramsey film \u2018Sunny Dancer\u2019 and Haim\u2019s New York-inspired fifth album<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/this-is-lorelei-credit-gabe-long-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/this-is-lorelei-credit-gabe-long-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">This Is Lorelei was only meant to be a side project. It\u2019s made Nate Amos an indie darling<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NME-HERO-NATE-SIB-CREDIT-CHESSA-SUBBIONDO@2560x1707-400x267.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NME-HERO-NATE-SIB-CREDIT-CHESSA-SUBBIONDO@2560x1707-800x533.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Nate Sib is finding peace and purpose in his pop mission<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Diablo-4-Lord-Of-Hatred-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Diablo-4-Lord-Of-Hatred-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">How \u2018Diablo\u2019 continues to provide the definitive dark-fantasy game soundtrack<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-custom_ad_1  tdi_94 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_95\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_96  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_98  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_100  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_102  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_105 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_105\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_105\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nicholas-Hoult-Photo-by-Kristina-Bumphrey_Variety-via-Getty-Images-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nicholas-Hoult-Photo-by-Kristina-Bumphrey_Variety-via-Getty-Images-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Nicholas Hoult criticised for joining HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/House-of-the-dragon-season-3-daemon-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/House-of-the-dragon-season-3-daemon-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">When is \u2018House Of The Dragon\u2019 season four being released?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/House-dragon-main-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/House-dragon-main-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The ending of \u2018House Of The Dragon\u2019 season three explained: who dies in the finale?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bel_powley_2026-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bel_powley_2026-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 star Bel Powley \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with J.K. Rowling\u2019s gender views: \u201cI think the trans community deserve safety and dignity\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/vincent_pastore_rip-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/vincent_pastore_rip-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">\u2018The Sopranos\u2019 star\u00a0Vincent\u00a0Pastore\u00a0dies aged 80<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/eric_dane_euphoria-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/eric_dane_euphoria-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Late \u2018Euphoria\u2019 star Eric Dane hails show in one of last interviews: \u201cA wonderful experience\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><i>Black Mirror<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>director Ally Pankiw has said she rejected an opportunity to work on\u00a0HBO\u2018s upcoming\u00a0<i>Harry Potter<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>series because of\u00a0J.K. Rowling\u2018s views on gender.<\/p>\n<p>Pankiw, who directed the 2023\u00a0<i>Black Mirror\u00a0<\/i>episode \u2018Joan\u00a0Is\u00a0Awful\u2019,\u00a0shared a screenshot on Instagram of what appeared\u00a0to be an exchange with her representative, who wrote: \u201cI have an instinct\u00a0on the\u00a0answer\u00a0but I feel compelled to ask. Harry\u00a0Potter?\u00a0Hard\u00a0no?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cAbsolutely fucking not! Lol\u2026 (But thank you for asking),\u201d Pankiw replied. Her representative responded: \u201cOf course :)\u2026 I assumed as much\u2026 (And agree).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Canadian filmmaker captioned the post: \u201cIt simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!\u201d, and\u00a0later clarified that the offer was \u201cfor directing, not acting\u2026obviously lol.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 director Ally Pankiw reveals she turned down directing the \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 HBO series:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia!\u201d pic.twitter.com\/akGyYNSK86<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Pop Base (@PopBase) August 14, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In the comments,\u00a0<i>Loki<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>director Kate Herron said she had also been\u00a0approached about\u00a0the series on more than one occasion. \u201cThey\u2019ve asked me twice and I\u2019ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a no,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Pankiw\u2019s reference to \u201ctransphobia\u201d relates to Rowling\u2019s\u00a0controversial views on gender and public hostility to the trans community. The author is serving as an executive producer on the new HBO show, and her\u00a0views have led to calls for a boycott of the series, while many actors have faced criticism for\u00a0their\u00a0involvement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier this week,\u00a0Nicholas Hoult was announced as Gilderoy Lockhart and was criticised by some fans for agreeing to be a part of the show. He has not publicly responded to the backlash.<\/p>\n<p>Several other cast members have distanced themselves from Rowling\u2019s views, with\u00a0Petunia Dursley actor Bel Powley saying she \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with Rowling on the issue, adding: \u201cI think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>John Lithgow, who is playing Albus Dumbledore,\u00a0said he considered leaving the project after receiving criticism but\u00a0ultimately chose\u00a0to stay. He has described Rowling\u2019s views as \u201cironic and inexplicable\u201d, while saying the books themselves are \u201cclearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Nick Frost, who is portraying Rubeus Hagrid,\u00a0said his opinions \u201cdon\u2019t align in any way, shape or form\u201d with Rowling\u2019s. Severus Snape actor Paapa Essiedu, meanwhile,\u00a0signed an open letter calling for the UK entertainment industry to protect trans rights.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>HBO\u2019s adaptation is planned to run for seven seasons, with each instalment covering one of Rowling\u2019s original books. The first, based on\u00a0<i>Harry Potter\u00a0And\u00a0The\u00a0Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/i>, premieres on HBO Max on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/black-mirror-director-turns-down-offer-to-work-on-harry-potter-series-absolutely-fucking-not-3962790&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-still@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;] NewsTV News \u2018Black Mirror\u2019 director turns down offer to work on \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 series: \u201cAbsolutely fucking not\u201d &#8220;It simply is this easy to say no to funding transphobia&#8221; By Max Pilley 14th August 2026 &#8216;Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#8217;s Stone&#8217; still. CREDIT: HBO Black Mirror\u00a0director Ally Pankiw has said she rejected an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2094272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2094272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2094272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2094272\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2094272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2094272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2094272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}