For more than a decade, J K Rowling and Emma Watson were closely linked by one of the most successful franchises in literary and cinematic history. Watson, cast as Hermione Granger at age 11, became a global icon alongside Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), while Rowling’s Harry Potter novels became a cultural touchstone. But in recent years, that shared legacy has been overshadowed by a bitter public dispute. The feud, reignited this month, indicates a long-simmering personal grievance and a broader clash over gender politics. Watson recently appeared on the podcast, On Purpose With Jay Shetty, where she described her complicated relationship with Rowling, saying she “treasures” the author despite their disagreements. Rowling responded with a pointed statement on X, calling Watson “ignorant” and accusing her and Radcliffe of assuming the role of “de facto spokespeople” for the world she created. Public exchanges and mockery Rowling first reacted indirectly by sharing a video from comedian Intel Lady that mocked Watson’s interview, suggesting her conciliatory tone was motivated by career considerations during a multi-year acting hiatus. In her statement on X, Rowling expanded on the history of their relationship and her sense of betrayal. She wrote that while Watson and her co-stars are free to embrace their beliefs, including gender identity ideology, she resents their public criticism. “Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right—nay, obligation—to critique me and my views in public. Years after they finished acting in Potter, they continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created,” she wrote. Rowling recounted feeling protective of Watson and Radcliffe, who she first worked with when they were children. "Until quite recently, I hadn't managed to throw off the memory of children who needed to be gently coaxed through their dialogue in a big scary film studio," she wrote, adding, "For the past few years, I've repeatedly declined invitations from journalists to comment on Emma specifically, most notably on the Witch Trials of JK Rowling." On why she spoke out after all these years, Rowling, said: "The greatest irony here is that, had Emma not decided in her most recent interview to declare that she loves and treasures me - a change of tack I suspect she's adopted because she's noticed full-throated condemnation of me is no longer quite as fashionable as it was - I might never have been this honest." She contrasted her early poverty with Watson’s privileged upbringing: “Like other people who've never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she's ignorant of how ignorant she is… I wasn’t a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous.” She also described the frustration of receiving a private handwritten note from Watson expressing sympathy during a period when Rowling faced threats of death and sexual violence, while the actress publicly criticised her. “Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames, yet thought a one line expression of concern from her would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy and kindness,” Rowling wrote. Reiterating the betrayal she felt, Rowling wrote, "Adults can't expect to cosy up to an activist movement that regularly calls for a friend's assassination, then assert their right to the former friend's love, as though the friend was in fact their mother." I'm seeing quite a bit of comment about this, so I want to make a couple of points. I'm not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should… — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 29, 2025 The origins of the rift The public feud began in 2020, when Rowling posted a series of tweets and an essay questioning aspects of transgender identity. Watson, Radcliffe, and Grint publicly responded in support of trans rights. Radcliffe tweeted: “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people… it’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.” Watson wrote: “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.” Rowling has never reconciled with this public criticism, and her outspoken views on gender identity have sparked both widespread condemnation and significant financial and legal activity in the United Kingdom, including funding court cases. Professional tensions and the wizarding world Rowling frames her stance as a defense of women’s rights and a reaction to perceived elite privilege, while Watson and Radcliffe’s stance aligns with evolving norms around gender identity and inclusion. In her recent X statement, Rowling framed herself as both wronged and vindicated: “Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public—but I have the same right, and I’ve finally decided to exercise it.” Rowling’s position on trans issues has also created tension with Warner Bros, the studio behind the Harry Potter films. Despite the public feud, the studio has continued to develop new Wizarding World projects, including a planned reboot of the Harry Potter saga as a television series for Max. The first season, featuring a new cast with Rowling’s involvement, is scheduled to debut in 2026.
