Keira Knightley responds to Harry Potter boycott question with laughter, amid JK Rowling controversy

Knightley addresses Harry Potter boycott over JK Rowling’s trans views after joining audiobook as Professor Umbridge

Keira Knightley has drawn criticism online after laughing during a question about the ongoing boycott of the Harry Potter franchise over J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues. The 40-year-old British actress, who voices Professor Umbridge in the upcoming audiobook adaptation of the seven Harry Potter novels, was interviewed by Decider when the topic was raised.

A recently released clip from the interview shows Knightley laughing before apologizing, saying, “I'm very sorry.” She then added, “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? And we've all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.”

 

 

 

 

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Her comments, however, have sparked backlash among some fans, who labeled her tone as “patronising” and “awkward.” One social media user wrote, “Such a patronizing tone for such a goofy ass sentiment,” while another commented, “She doesn’t care and she’s p****d that she was asked.”

Knightley had previously claimed she was unaware of the boycott, which stems from controversy surrounding Rowling’s public statements on gender identity. The author’s views have led to a divided fanbase, with some choosing to distance themselves from the franchise.

Knightley joins a star-studded cast for the audiobook series, including James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen, Michelle Gomez, and Riz Ahmed. The new audio adaptation is scheduled for release in stages between next month and May 2026.

The character she voices, Professor Umbridge, previously portrayed by Imelda Staunton in the films, is widely regarded as one of the series’ most despised villains.

The audiobook revival comes alongside a larger reboot of the Harry Potter universe, with HBO currently filming a decade-long TV series set to debut in 2027. The new cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, with Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout playing Hermione and Ron. Filming is underway in the UK, including recent shoots in Cadgwith, Cornwall.