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Harry Potter's Evanna Lynch denies JK Rowling was given 'cold shoulder' by film cast

Watch: Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch defends JK Rowling

Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch has denied that JK Rowling has been given the "cold shoulder" by the cast of the films and insisted, "they all have great respect for her."

The author was accused of transphobia last year and did not appear in the recent TV reunion Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.

Lynch - who starred as Luna Lovegood in the movie adaptations of Harry Potter - told GB News: "I think there are things we don't all agree with and don't understand.

<p>Harry Potter actor Evanna Lynch says she would be happy to work with JK Rowling again, denying that the cast has given the author a ' cold shoulder' over her recent statements about transgender issues.</p>
Harry Potter actor Evanna Lynch says she would be happy to work with JK Rowling again, denying that the cast has given the author a ' cold shoulder' over her recent statements about transgender issues

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"I've talked to all the cast, they all have great respect for her if they don't agree with her beliefs.

"She has her beliefs and she's doing her thing.

"It's been a very difficult conversation and I don't want us to keep fighting so I reject that narrative there's been a cold shoulder."

Pressed on why Rowling did not appear in the HBO Max reunion show the 30-year-old Irish actor said: "I think she's busy writing books, I don't think that's about conversations that have been had about more controversial issues.

"I think she was busy. She's still a big part of it."

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09:  Evanna Lynch (L) and J.K. Rowling attend the Lumos fundraising event hosted by J.K. Rowling at The Warner Bros. Harry Potter Tour on November 9, 2013 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Lumos)
Evanna Lynch with Harry Potter writer JK Rowling. (Getty Images)

Lynch was asked is she would like to appear in any future Harry Potter projects.

She said: "How could you not do that? I don't see how you'd turn that down. It was a real pleasure working with them."

Rowling's series of seven children’s novels about the boy wizard were turned into a successful movie franchise by Warner Bros between 2001 and 2011, and a further spin-off franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on a fictional textbook within the original novels is still ongoing.

The writer was accused of transphobia after a series of posts on Twitter last June, responding to a story with a headline that read: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”

First look at Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (2021 Warner Media)
Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' (2021 Warner Media)

She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

She went on to publish an essay online in which she claimed - as a domestic violence survivor - that she felt allowing trans people to use single-sex bathrooms and changing rooms could be "offering cover to predators".

Rowling was criticised for her remarks by Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe who starred as Harry Potter.

Radcliffe apologised to Harry Potter fans for Rowling’s comments, and actress Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the movies, also commented.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07:  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, writer J.K. Rowling, actress Emma Watson and actor  Rupert Grint attend the
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe with JK Rowling, and co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in 2011. (Getty Images)

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Watson, who starred as Hermione Granger in the franchise, said: "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.

"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said in a statement: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment. I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers."