Pedro Pascal slams J.K. Rowling over anti-trans comments and defends sister in Vanity Fair interview

Pedro Pascal has strongly criticized author J.K. Rowling in a new Vanity Fair cover story, responding to her celebration of a recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights. The court declared that, under the Equality Act, legal definitions of “woman” and “man” are determined by biological sex. Rowling marked the decision with a photo of herself drinking and the caption, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Pascal called her reaction “heinous loser behavior,” citing her comments as harmful to the trans community.

The actor, whose sister Lux came out as transgender in 2021, said his comments came from a place of deep personal commitment. “Bullies make me fucking sick,” he told Vanity Fair, while admitting he briefly questioned whether his words would help or harm the cause. “It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen.” His older sister, Javiera Pascal, also spoke in support of his statement, saying, “He said that as the older brother to someone saying that our little sister doesn’t exist.”

Following the viral moment, some of Rowling’s defenders circulated a Comic-Con clip of Pascal holding co-star Vanessa Kirby’s hand, trying to suggest inappropriate behavior. Kirby dismissed the criticism, explaining the gesture came from a shared moment of nervousness before addressing a large crowd. “I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back,” she said.

He is among several celebrities who signed an open letter opposing the U.K. court’s decision. Other signatories include The Last of Us co-star Bella Ramsey, Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan, and Paapa Essiedu, who will portray Severus Snape in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Rowling, responding on X, stated she would not dismiss actors over views that differ from her own.

The full profile appears in Vanity Fair’s June 2025 issue.