“Harry Potter” star Emma Watson says she treasures her relationship with JK Rowling, despite their conflicting views on transgender rights.
In a sit-down interview for the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast posted Wednesday, the actor who brought Hermione Granger to life on screen addressed her feelings about the “Harry Potter” creator and author.
When asked by Shetty how she’s coping with Rowling saying “extremely hurtful” things about her after their public break over transgender issues, Watson said that she still thinks fondly of Rowling.
“I really don’t believe that by having had that experience, and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with.”
She continued, saying that she hopes “people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”
A representative for Rowling did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment.
Watson’s comments come after years of Rowling’s back and forth with Watson and other “Harry Potter” stars over their differing views on transgender and women’s rights.
Rowling has faced criticism for years for her comments about transgender people. In 2020, she published a roughly 3,600-word essay in which she questioned whether the growing number of people who identify as transgender are part of what she described as a “contagion” fueled by social media.
In 2024, Rowling refused to acknowledge the existence of trans children. She stated on X, “There are no trans kids. No child is ‘born in the wrong body.’”
“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe responded to Rowling’s views in 2021 with an essay of his own, where he declared “transgender women are women.” Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the series, has also positioned himself as a supporter of trans rights.
And Watson has also come out firmly in support of trans people in the wake of Rowling’s comments.
Shortly after Rowling’s 2020 essay, Watson wrote in a series of posts on X that “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,” she said.
In March 2025, Rowling responded to a post on X asking her which actor “instantly ruins a movie” for her. She responded with, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible” and a series of laughing emojis. Multiple commenters then posted photos of Watson, Radcliffe and Grint.
In her interview with Shetty, Watson continued to reflect on her rift with Rowling, sharing that “the thing I’m most upset about is that a conversation was never made possible.”
Also on Shetty’s podcast, Watson light-heartedly addressed her 6-month driving ban following a speeding incident last year.
In response to Shetty’s question about her day-to-day life right now, Watson shared, “I recently started riding a bicycle.” She began to laugh as she continued, “Yes, I started riding a bicycle before my driving ban, but now it’s particularly fortuitous that I also ride a bicycle for that reason.”
The actor was banned from driving for six months after she was caught for speeding in Oxford, England, on July 31, 2024. She already had nine points on her license at the time.
Watson and Shetty shared a laugh as they discussed the fact that her driving ban made mainstream, international news. “I was like, my shame is everywhere,” Watson said with a giggle.
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