Two television directors say they turned down opportunities to work on HBO's Harry Potter series because J.K. Rowling remains involved with the new adaptation.
Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw shared what appeared to be a message exchange with her agent about a directing offer. Pankiw said she rejected it because accepting the job would financially support Rowling, whose comments about transgender people have drawn years of criticism.
Loki director Kate Herron then replied that she had been approached twice and had refused both times. HBO had not confirmed either approach when Deadline published its report, so the offers currently rest on the directors' public accounts.
Pankiw and Herron Have Worked on Major Series
Neither director is a stranger to large television productions. Pankiw has worked on Black Mirror, The Great, and Schitt's Creek. Herron directed the first season of Marvel's Loki and has also worked on Doctor Who and Sex Education.
Their comments do not show that HBO is struggling to hire directors. They do show that Rowling's involvement is affecting individual career decisions behind the camera, not only the public argument around the series.
J.K. Rowling Is an Executive Producer
Rowling is an executive producer on the HBO adaptation. The network has continued to support her involvement while promoting the series as a new, book-by-book version of the story.
That position is why this argument follows the reboot into casting announcements, trailers, and now hiring decisions. Viewers who want another faithful adaptation are not discussing the series in a separate space from people who object to Rowling's comments. Both conversations are attached to the same production.
The production is also planning beyond its first season. Nicholas Hoult has already been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart for Season 2, even before the first season reaches viewers.
