Andrew Garfield Defends Watching ‘Harry Potter’ Despite Calling It ‘Controversial’
The actor praised Daniel Radcliffe’s performance and the artistry of thousands of crew members — while refusing to even name J.K. Rowling.
LONDON — March 29, 2026 —
Andrew Garfield has admitted he only recently watched the Harry Potter films for the first time, defending the decision while openly calling it “controversial” and refusing to name J.K. Rowling by name.
The admission lands at a charged moment in the Harry Potter cultural cycle. HBO’s first trailer for its TV reboot dropped this week to more than 130 million views across social platforms — and renewed debate over whether fans can separate the franchise’s artistry from its author’s publicly stated views on transgender rights.
“Daniel is so goddamn good. Honestly, I hadn’t watched the ‘Harry Potter’ movies until recently,” Garfield said on Hits Radio’s My Life In Movies. “Those ‘Harry Potter’ movies are really good. I know it’s controversial and we shouldn’t be putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless, but the soul and spirit — the essence of the themes of those films and the kids and the artisans and the craft people. You can’t throw the baby out of the bathwater.”
“You can’t throw the baby out of the bathwater. There are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films.”
— Andrew Garfield, Hits Radio, March 2026A Voldemort Nod, Without the Name
Garfield never said Rowling’s name directly, instead invoking “she that shall remain nameless” — a clear echo of the franchise’s own villain, Lord Voldemort, known in the books as “He Who Must Not Be Named.”
Rowling has faced sustained criticism for her views on biological sex and gender recognition law, including donations to campaign groups that challenged the legal definition of “woman” in UK courts. A 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling confirmed that legal definition is based on biological sex.
Radcliffe’s Performance Is the Argument
Garfield framed his case not as political calculation but as a defence of craft. He is currently working with Claire, a makeup artist who contributed to the Harry Potter creature effects, which he said deepened his respect for the thousands of artisans involved.
“I have a newfound appreciation for all of the artists, and Daniel is great,” Garfield said.
The actor is currently promoting his new film The Magic Faraway Tree.
Lithgow Almost Walked, Rowling Cheered
Garfield is not alone in wrestling with the question. John Lithgow, cast as Dumbledore in the HBO series, told The New York Times he nearly quit the role due to backlash over the association with Rowling before deciding the books themselves stand “clearly on the side of the angels, against intolerance and bigotry.”
Rowling, meanwhile, announced on X that the HBO trailer is “going to be incredible” and said she is “so happy with it” — hours before applauding the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ban transgender women from women’s sporting events.
The Stars Have Long Pushed Back
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have each publicly supported trans rights and distanced themselves from Rowling’s position since she first went public with her views in June 2020.
Garfield joins a growing list of actors who have concluded that the franchise’s artistry and the beliefs of its creator can be addressed separately — without pretending the tension doesn’t exist.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
