‘Three guesses’: J.K. Rowling appears to take a swipe at Harry Potter stars amid feud

J.K. Rowling appears to have taken an indirect jab at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in a recent social media post on X, reigniting tensions with the actors.

On Tuesday (18 March), when asked on social media, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?” Rowling replied, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” along with laughing emojis.

Many have interpreted it as a clear dig at Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint.

Once closely connected, the actors have distanced themselves from Rowling following a string of controversial statements she has made about transgender rights. Since 2020, the author has repeatedly shared views widely condemned as transphobic, including her assertion that trans women “are not women” and that she would “rather go to jail” than use a trans person’s preferred pronouns.

Labeled a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) by critics, Rowling has not only embraced the term but has worn it as a badge of honour.

Radcliffe, Watson and Grint have all spoken out against her views and defended transgender women and men. Last year, Radcliffe told The Atlantic that Rowling’s views “make me really sad”, adding: “Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”

Watson expressed her support, stating: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are."

Meanwhile Rupert Grint said: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment."

Conclave star Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the beloved film franchise, came to the author's defence: "The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling.”

Rowling previously said that she wouldn’t forgive the Harry Potter stars who have criticised her views. “Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,” she wrote on X.

The Harry Potter films are currently being reimagined into a HBO TV series, to which Rowling is an executive producer. Casting is underway. Unknowns are reportedly being scouted to play the roles of the Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Meanwhile, six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow has been confirmed to play the Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, stepping into the role previously played by Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law.

HBO have defended the author's involvement in the TV seires despite controversy surrounding her name. “J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”