JK Rowling

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50-Cent Harry Potter Proof Just Sold for $14K

Owner had bought first printing from a secondhand bookstore in 1997

(Newser) - The woman hardly knew what she'd bought in paying 40 pence, or about 50 cents, for three books back in 1997. Then 26, the woman "didn't have much money" but liked to browse secondhand bookshops for deals, she tells Hansons Auctioneers . She'd been looking for novels...

Harry Potter's 'Dumbledore' Has Died at 82
Harry Potter's 'Dumbledore'
Has Died at 82
OBITUARY

Harry Potter's 'Dumbledore' Has Died at 82

BAFTA-winning 'Harry Potter' actor Michael Gambon passes away after bout with pneumonia

(Newser) - When Richard Harris died in 2002, there were big shoes to fill as Albus Dumbledore, the role Harris played in the first two Harry Potter films. Now, the actor who kept the Hogwarts headmaster alive for six more movies in the franchise has also passed on. The family of Irish-born...

Here's What Just Made Judy Blume Curse on Twitter

After remarks on JK Rowling, author says it's 'total bull----' she doesn't stand with the trans community

(Newser) - Judy Blume may be 85 years old, but she's not shy about throwing down on Twitter if she needs to. The Independent reports that the popular children's author—who has penned such classics as Deenie, Forever, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret—is responding to...

Coming to the Small Screen: Harry Potter on a Grand Scale

New Warner Bros. series to air over a decade will bring 'depth and detail' to the beloved story

(Newser) - If spinoffs, theme parks, video games, merchandise, and a Broadway play haven't quite tided you over in the 12 years since the last Harry Potter film was released, good news. Warner Bros. is launching a scripted TV series that will retell the now-iconic story of the boy wizard over...

It's Time to Stop Vilifying JK Rowling


It's Time
to Stop
Vilifying
JK Rowling
OPINION

It's Time to Stop Vilifying JK Rowling

Pamela Paul in the 'New York Times' writes that the author is not a transphobe

(Newser) - Critics of JK Rowling consider her to be transphobic . In a podcast that launches next week, the Harry Potter author pushes back against that assertion. And in a New York Times column, Pamela Paul writes that Rowling is correct to do so. "This campaign against Rowling is as dangerous...

UK Uses 'Nuclear Option' to Block Scottish Gender Reform

It creates a 'very, very slippery slope,' says Nicola Sturgeon, who promises legal fight

(Newser) - The UK government has for the first time used the "nuclear option" to block legislation passed by the Scottish parliament, in this case a law that would allow people to self-identify as transgender. The move sets up a court battle over Scotland's right to make its own laws....

Radcliffe on Rowling: 'I Needed to Say Something When I Did'

'Harry Potter' actor comments on 'hurt' fans after author's remarks; Tom Felton weighs in, too

(Newser) - In June 2020, Harry Potter author JK Rowling posted a series of transphobic comments on Twitter—remarks she's only doubled down on since, per Variety . Her remarks led Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who played Harry Potter himself in the hit movie franchise, to publish an open letter on gender...

'You Are Next:' Cops Investigate Threat to JK Rowling

Author receives death threat after expressing support for Salman Rushdie online

(Newser) - Harry Potter author JK Rowling expressed support online for Salman Rushdie after he was stabbed —and received a death threat for her trouble. Now police in Scotland are investigating, reports the Hollywood Reporter . On Friday, Rowling tweeted , "Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok" upon hearing...

JK Rowling Trans Controversy Now Extends to Quidditch
Quidditch
Gets Its
New Name
UPDATED

Quidditch Gets Its New Name

JK Rowling's trans controversy makes its way to the sport

(Newser) - Update: Quidditch is now quadball, or soon will be. After announcing last year that the sport, a real-life version of the magical game JK Rowling dreamed up for the Harry Potter book series, would change its name in part to distance itself from the allegedly transphobic author, the sport's...

Got $250K? A Rare Harry Potter Book Beckons

Christie's is selling first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' in London

(Newser) - A rare first edition of the very first book in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series is about to go on the auction block. Reuters reports that Christie's of London will be holding a private sale this month for the copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,...

Putin Drags JK Rowling Into Latest 'Bizarre Rant'

Leader says both Russia, 'Harry Potter' author have been 'canceled'—Rowling for her trans views

(Newser) - It's not terribly surprising that Vladimir Putin might try to control the narrative on his country's invasion of Ukraine by painting Russia as some kind of victim. And he did just that during a Friday address on state TV, touching on the concept of "cancel culture" and...

Activists Who Posted JK Rowling's Address Did Not Commit a Crime

The 'Harry Potter' author had accused them of doxxing her over her views on trans people

(Newser) - Update: The activists who posted a photo showing JK Rowling's home, including its address, will not be punished. The Harry Potter author complained to police about the act, which she called doxxing, but Scotland authorities have now confirmed the move was not criminal and no action will be taken,...

Helen McCrory Wanted to 'Be an Interpreter'
Peaky Blinders,
Harry Potter

Actress
Dead at 52
obituary

Peaky Blinders, Harry Potter Actress Dead at 52

Helen McCrory was married to actor Damian Lewis

(Newser) - Helen McCrory, a British actress who appeared in three Harry Potter films, the Peaky Blinders TV series, and more than 25 plays, has died. Her husband, actor Damian Lewis, made the announcement Friday on Twitter . "I'm heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful...

John Cleese: 'I'm Not That Interested in Trans Folks'

Critics accuse Monty Python star of transphobia

(Newser) - John Cleese is being accused of transphobia after doubling down on his support for JK Rowling. The British actor, who played Nearly Headless Nick in the first two Harry Potter movies, tweeted "I'm not that interested in trans folks," Sunday when asked about Rowling's controversial stance...

After a Kennedy Slam, JK Rowling Gives Back Award

'Harry Potter' author blasts RFK daughter Kerry Kennedy for implying she's transphobic

(Newser) - JK Rowling's take on transgender issues has earned her a fair share of controversy . Now, it's prompted her to return a prestigious honor. Per the BBC , the Harry Potter author received the Ripple of Hope Award last year from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights group. It's...

New Battle Over 'Cancel Culture' Is Getting Vicious

Dozens of writers, thinkers fire back at open letter in Harper's Magazine

(Newser) - Over 160 academics and journalists issued an open letter Friday in an ongoing battle over so-called "cancel culture," the Wrap reports. The letter rebuked an earlier letter —published in Harper's and signed by luminaries including Fareed Zakaria, JK Rowling, and Gloria Steinhem—that decried "the...

Harry Potter Fan Sites Are Backing Away From JK Rowling

Leaky Cauldron, Mugglenet distance themselves over Rowling's trans views

(Newser) - Two of the biggest Harry Potter fan sites are backing far, far away from the Harry Potter creator thanks to JK Rowling's views on trans people. The Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet both announced Thursday they won't use the author's photo or link to her website, and they...

The JK Rowling Controversy Now Involves Stephen King

'Harry Potter' author deletes her own tweet praising horror writer in a 'snit'

(Newser) - No, JK Rowling has not backed down on her controversial stance on trans rights , and now she's involving Stephen King in headlines related to the brouhaha. As the AV Club explains, it started when a male British politician accused Rowling of using her own domestic abuse to justify discrimination...

Rowling Reveals Sexual Assault as She Explains Trans Comments

'Harry Potter' author delves into her own history with sexual assault, abuse

(Newser) - JK Rowling published a nearly 4,000-word essay on her website Wednesday explaining her controversial stance on transgender people. In it, she discusses the domestic abuse she experienced in her first marriage and reveals a sexual assault she survived in her twenties, all to illustrate why it's so important...

Daniel Radcliffe Responds to Rowling Uproar

'Transgender women are women,' says 'Potter' actor

(Newser) - Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is speaking out against JK Rowling's recent comments on sex , which he hopes won't "taint" the series for fans. "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice...

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