While the magical world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts captivated audiences when it first hit screens, the upcoming HBO series adaptation has been engulfed in controversy.
And now, the team behind the new show are increasing security for the London premiere over fears there will be protests over JK Rowling’s comments about gender identity.
Cast members expected to attend the event, set to take place in mid-December, include Nick Frost, Paul Whitehouse, John Lithgow, and Warwick Davis.
Organisers are planning to have extra security at the event, both inside the venue and at the entrance, to ensure it runs smoothly and everyone is kept safe.
The decision comes after masked activists were seen throwing themselves on the red carpet at a gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at London's Palace Theatre in the West End.
‘The team behind the series are concerned about how the premiere will go,’ one source told the Daily Mail.
'Concerned' organisers to ramp up security for Harry Potter series premiere after trans rights activists targeted theatre show over JK Rowling's controversial comments
The decision comes after masked activists were seen throwing themselves on the red carpet at a gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at London's Palace Theatre in the West End
‘They are expecting there to be protests, and they are worried it could become a safety issue.
‘There are concerns that thousands of activists will turn up and the whole thing could descend into chaos. Seeing what happened at the gala night for The Cursed Child has left everyone panicked. They don’t want to take any chances.
‘They are increasing the budget for security to make sure the event can go ahead without any major problems, and to ensure they keep talent attending safe.’
Neil Blair, the literary agent representing Rowling, condemned the demonstration by transgender rights campaigners that took place last week.
In a statement, Mr Blair said the actions of the activists had endangered those attending the event, including members of the audience, the cast and theatre staff.
‘We respect peaceful activism and the right to express different views,’ the statement issued to Variety read, adding: ‘But those rights must be exercised without putting others at risk, including audience members, performers and theatre staff, as we saw Thursday evening during the protests outside the Palace Theatre in London ahead of the gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
‘Above all, we want to continue bringing the magic of Harry Potter to the wonderful fans who have supported and embraced this world for so many years.
'Every fan deserves to enjoy the magic of Harry Potter in an atmosphere of respect and security, and we remain committed to keeping live theatre a welcoming and safe experience for everyone.’
‘They are increasing the budget for security to make sure the event can go ahead without any major problems, and to ensure they keep talent attending safe,' one source told the Daily Mail
The Guild of Angry Transsexuals issued its own statement, which said: ‘We took action to make attendees of Rowling's Cursed Child [aware] that by continuing to fund her media and entertainment empire, they directly fund the legal attack on trans people, their rights and private lives.’
Rowling has faced intense criticism from LGBTQ+ activists and several stars of the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, after publicly expressing concerns about gender ideology and single-sex spaces and consistently referring to transgender women as being 'men'.
She has said she supports trans rights but also believes that a woman should be defined by biological sex – a view upheld by the UK Supreme Court – and campaigns to protect women-only spaces.
Some fans have vowed to boycott the show over creator Rowling's views on gender identity.
The multimillionaire author is set to retain a level of creative involvement with the upcoming project; however, she will not serve as the project's showrunner, nor will she be credited as the series' creator.
Lithgow also received criticism for joining the HBO project to play Dumbledore in light of Rowling's views.
While he has decided to pursue the role, John added that he knows 'every interview I will ever do for the rest of my life this will come up'.
In the wake of the announcement, John revealed that a friend with a trans child sent him a link to an article entitled: 'An open letter to John Lithgow: Please walk away from Harry Potter' – something he admitted made him feel 'uncomfortable'.
John also addressed the backlash as he swiped at the author's 'ironic and inexplicable' views on trans women – and insisted she's 'not really involved in the series at all'.
Elsewhere, Nick Frost responded to Rowling's comments, saying: 'She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine – they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.'
The series, named Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will launch on HBO Max on Christmas Day.