Katherine Parkinson stepping into the Harry Potter universe should’ve been exciting news – she’s sharp, funny, and beloved for The IT Crowd. But there’s baggage here, and it’s not just the Sorting Hat kind. Parkinson’s involvement comes after her controversial IT Crowd episode, which was reportedly banned for transphobic content.
Now, combine that with J.K. Rowling’s own heavily criticized stance on trans issues, and suddenly this casting feels like part of a larger, troubling pattern. Rather than moving forward, the Harry Potter franchise seems to be surrounding itself with voices linked to outdated narratives, and that’s a red flag for many fans.
Katherine Parkinson’s Harry Potter role revives questions about past transphobia ties
Katherine Parkinson’s entry into the Harry Potter universe should’ve been a win – she’s best known as the lovable Jen from The IT Crowd. But for many, it’s hard to ignore the shadows trailing her biggest role. Specifically, that episode.
Season 3’s “The Speech” of The IT Crowd is now infamous for its transphobic storyline, which ends in violence toward a trans woman played for laughs. Channel 4 later pulled it. Creator Graham Linehan, an openly anti-trans figure, defended the episode as “free speech.” Parkinson, meanwhile, reportedly acknowledged the backlash and addressed the discomfort it caused, but her association with the episode (and Linehan) lingers (via Screenrant).
Fast forward to now: she’s joining Harry Potter, a franchise still heavily associated with J.K. Rowling, whose views on transgender rights have stirred massive controversy. So Parkinson’s casting feels like déjà vu – a beloved actress linked once again to a creator with divisive, anti-trans headlines.
It’s not about canceling Parkinson. It’s about patterns. Both The IT Crowd and Rowling’s Wizarding World were once cultural comfort food. Now, they’re tangled in narratives of exclusion and backlash. And while Matt Berry (her IT Crowd co-star) has publicly distanced himself from the episode’s message, Parkinson’s move into Rowling’s latest project adds another uneasy chapter.
British comedy has a long track record of punching down on trans identities – from Little Britain to The League of Gentlemen. That legacy shouldn’t be handed a wand and robe in 2025. Instead, fans are left wondering: if the wizarding world is all about acceptance, why does it keep aligning with the wrong kind of history?
Tom Felton faces Rowling backlash head-on while embracing his Harry Potter comeback
Tom Felton is back in the Harry Potter world, and he’s ready to address the elephant in the room. On the Tony Awards red carpet, Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the films, was asked about the backlash around J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans statements. His answer (per USA Today):“I can’t say it does,” he said. “I’m not really that attuned to it.”
Felton focused on the magic Harry Potter has brought globally. “I’ve been lucky to travel the world — and I’ve not seen anything bring people together more than Potter. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
The timing is key: Felton will reprise Draco on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this November, marking his first time returning to the role since the films ended 16 years ago.
While Rowling’s controversial views continue to spark debate, Felton’s choice feels like a nod to fans eager for more wizardry, even amid real-world drama.
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