Paapa Essiedu Raises Eyebrows By Calling For Trans Support After Joining Harry Potter Series

Demonstrations in support of trans rights have been going on around the UK in the last few weeksAn open letter has been published and co-signed by more than 400 figures from the entertainment world, calling for the protection of transgender rights within the industry.The letter was published in light of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling last month, which said that the legal definition of a woman only constituted those that were assigned female at birth.In the weeks since, there’ve been near-constant discussions about the protection of transgender people and their rights in the media, while the fall-out has seen the British Transport Police updating its policies, declaring that trans women will now be searched by male officers (and vice versa), and Barclays banks stating that trans women will no longer be allowed to use female toilets in its buildings.On Wednesday, the open letter expressing solidarity with trans, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming people was published, calling for major bodies within the entertainment sphere to protect these communities.“The Supreme Court’s ruling that, under the Equality Act, ‘woman’ is defined by biological sex, states that ‘the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man’,” the letter reads (as reported by Deadline).“We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK.”Among those to have lent it their support are Bafta nominee Harris Dickinson, Bridgerton favourite Nicola Coughlan, The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey, Adolescence actor Faye Marsay and Big Boys creator Jack Rooke.But there’s one name attached to the letter that has raised eyebrows.Paapa Essiedu, the actor best known for his supporting role in the hit drama I May Destroy You, has also co-signed the letter, just weeks after it was announced he’d be starring in the new TV adaptation of the Harry Potter novels.Paapa EssieduThe Emmy nominee will play Severus Snape in the new project, on which JK Rowling is attached as a producer.Rowling, of course, has become a polarising figure in recent years due to her own views on trans issues, and was reported to have made a hefty donation to a campaign group who raised the legal challenge which ultimately led to the Supreme Court’s ruling.After the ruling was made public, the author shared a controversial image of herself on X, raising a glass and smoking a cigar, declaring: “I love it when a plan comes together.”Because of this, many found Paapa’s inclusion on the letter to be a little jarring:Interesting for Paapa to do this when he’s currently part of a JK Rowling project https://t.co/DWMJJkstAy— Miso Honey 🍲🍯 (@MisoHoney5) April 30, 2025Paapa Essiedu signing this letter yet still signing on to be apart of the HBO Harry Potter series https://t.co/W4DqagFglqpic.twitter.com/HCSi34TDAR— kyle (@kyledxniel) April 30, 2025Very curious what Paapa Essiedu, who has just signed on to the Harry Potter series, is doing here. I can think of something you could do that would make much more of a statement than signing a letter! https://t.co/J8fre5iLkt— Noah Bovenizer (@NoahBovenizer) April 30, 2025Paapa Essiedu? Sir you need to be serious right now https://t.co/TXvytzlVwt— Ryan Love (@RyanJL) April 30, 2025sorry to Paapa Essiedu but we do not currently live in a world where you can both support trans rights and star in the H*rry P*tter reboot series https://t.co/uFoGAwIkdm— annie (@emmyloser) April 30, 2025If Paapa Essiedu really cared about trans people, he wouldn’t have joined a project that’s lining pockets of the woman who funds campaigns to remove trans people’s rights. https://t.co/lKngFqvooo— Thomas Willett (@ThomasWillett9) May 1, 2025Does Paapa know what tv show he’s signed up to be in or? https://t.co/yrpLwQCehr— 98…% Ganghanded Adulterer (@Poppers_R_Us) April 30, 2025Okay but is Paapa Essiedu still doing that Harry Potter show? Because that's putting money in the pocket of a woman hugely funding these anti-trans legislative decisions https://t.co/TknuVmWGGF— Queer Goblin Man Felix (@FelixirofLife28) April 30, 2025someone please tell paapa essiedu he CANNOT be playing severus fucking snape in the upcoming harry potter series and also claim to have solidarity with trans people https://t.co/mBQ045E0ZP— teddy🏴🍉 (@dnpvakarian) April 30, 2025while i respect it, Paapa Essiedu joining a tv show that will get money straight into rowling’s pocket…very counterproductive https://t.co/i3T2RkRIAm— hunter🧚🏼♀️ (they/them) (@gunnarfjon) April 30, 2025Great to see Paapa Essiedu sticking up for trans - though he should really pull out of a project supporting hate. https://t.co/Fy9JkjgIPH— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) April 30, 2025Unless Paapa Essiedu is planning the most insane insider downfall on the HP reboot how do you do this while being involved in a project like that? https://t.co/NfRb1U8Xfl— Mel | CR:The Grace of Kings & Crime and Punishment (@Mel4Chrgrs) April 30, 2025HuffPost UK has contacted Paapa Essiedu’s team for comment.Other figures from Rowling’s Wizarding World to have signed the letter include Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne and Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in Harry Potter.While Eddie spoke out in support of trans people in 2020, at a time when Rowling’s views were first becoming public, he has also defended the Harry Potter creator in the past, claiming the “vitriol” she has received online is “equally disgusting” as the abuse faced by trans people.JK Rowling in 2019HBO – who is producing the new Harry Potter series – previously defended Rowling’s involvement as an executive producer, with a spokesperson saying: “We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.“JK 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.”READ MORE:Nick Frost Disables Comments On Instagram Post Announcing Role In Controversial Harry Potter SeriesJohn Lithgow Reacts To Backlash Over His Casting In Controversial Harry Potter TV SeriesNicola Coughlan Makes Her Feelings Clear On Harry Potter Remake As She Raises £100K For Trans Charity

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