Keira Knightley is claiming ignorance of the boycott called for on all things Harry Potter.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star is one of the latest stars to join Audible's new audiobook rendition of all seven books in J.K. Rowling's bestselling Harry Potter franchise. Knightley voices Dolores Umbridge, one of the Ministry of Magic's most feared antagonists from the fifth book onward. But unlike her character, the 40-year-old Academy Award nominee is calling for peace, in light of critics who accuse the author of engaging in anti-transgender politics.
"I was not aware of that, no," Knightley told Decider when asked if she was aware of the boycott movement. "I'm very sorry."
"I think we're all living in a period of time right now where we're all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren't we?" Knightley asked, adding that "we've all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect."
In 2020, Rowling published a controversial 3,800-word essay on her personal website, alleging that the transgender "movement" is doing "demonstrable harm" to cisgender women. The writer positions her stance as a pro-feminist, not anti-trans, though critics in the trans community and others see her arguments as a rejection of trans identity. With her opinion, for instance, that "single-sex" facilities provide safe spaces for cisgender women, Rowling has been seen as a crusader against transgender rights and safety. In 2023, Rowling wrote on X that she would "happily do two years [in prison] if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex," which critics read as a refusal to affirm the gender identities of trans women.
Key actors in the Harry Potter films have disavowed Rowling's beliefs, including franchise star Daniel Radcliffe, who, after the publication of the essay, issued a statement that said, "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people."
Recently, Rowling lashed out at Emma Watson over a series of comments Watson made in a rare interview, in which she stated she can "still treasure" Rowling despite their diverging stances on trans rights. Rowling replied that the actress has "never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame."
Audible's new Harry Potter series was announced in August. Hugh Laurie, Matthew Mcfadyen, and Riz Ahmed lead a starry cast as Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, and Professor Snape, respectively. Good Wife alum Cush Jumbo will serve as the series' narrator, with newcomers like Frankie Treadway, Arabella Stanton, and Max Lester filling out the young cast.
Meanwhile, even more Potter is coming for your eyes and ears, as the first TV adaptation from HBO has lined up its cast and set a premiere timeline. John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Johnny Flynn, and Nick Frost are among those who will bring the book series to the small screen for the first time.