Famous actor and star of the “Harry Potter” series Ralph Fiennes spoke out in defense of the author of the book series, J.K. Rowling, after online critics threatened her life.
Critics have accused Rowling of spreading anti-trans messaging and have pushed back against the expression of her political views. The famous author has faced verbal abuse, online hate, and death threats, and Fiennes has come forward to set the record straight during an interview with The New York Times.
“J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings,” Fiennes said in the interview. “It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being. The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling.”
‘Harry Potter’ star Ralph Fiennes defends JK Rowling: She’s not an ‘obscene fascist’ https://t.co/VUFcyKEcA2 pic.twitter.com/PwU9z0gF3h
— New York Post (@nypost) October 25, 2022
Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the “Harry Potter” movies spoke to the issues at hand and shared a different perspective with fans.
“I mean, I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women,” he said, “But it’s not some obscene, über-right-wing fascist. It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman,'” Finneas said.
He lent his support adding, “And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.” (RELATED: Adidas Severs All Ties With Kanye West)
Ralph Fiennes Blasts ‘Verbal Abuse’ Directed at J.K. Rowling https://t.co/HN5Lr2KLZv
— People (@people) October 25, 2022
Rowling has refused to back down from sharing her views on her own platform, in spite of the numerous threats made against her. “I’ve now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them, and I haven’t stopped speaking out,” she tweeted.
I’ve now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them, and I haven’t stopped speaking out. Perhaps – and I’m just throwing this out there – the best way to prove your movement isn’t a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing and threatening us. 8/X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 22, 2021
Rowling’s entire family was targeted in Scotland in 2021 when activists published an image of themselves to Twitter as they held up placards that displayed her address while standing outside of Rowling’s family residence.