Keira Knightley Is 'Very Sorry' For Joining 'Harry Potter' Audiobook Cast Amid J.K. Rowling Anti-Transgender Scandal

Keira Knightley is clearing the air about working with J.K. Rowling, who is facing cancellation for her anti-trans views. 

The actress claimed to be unaware of the scandal surrounding Rowling and called for the matter to be resolved in a respectful manner. 

Rowling’s anti-trans scandal has strained her relationship with several stars. It resulted in a fallout between her and other big names who starred in the famed “Harry Potter” series, including 35-year-old Emma Watson. 

Keira Knightley recently sat down for a chat with Decider, during which she touched on starring in the new “Harry Potter” audiobooks. 

The reporter asked the 40-year-old actress if she was aware that some fans have called for a boycott of JK Rowling due to her anti-trans campaigns. 

A shocked Knightley admitted that she knew nothing about the drama, saying, “I was not aware of that, no. I’m very sorry.”  The “Love Actually” actress further expressed hope that people can learn to respect each other’s opinions in this day and age, no matter how much they differ. 

“You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we? And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect,” she added. 

Knightley voices the character of Professor Dolores Umbridge, a popular antagonist in “Harry Potter’s” Ministry of Magic. According to Entertainment Weekly, she is joined by a star-studded cast of actors, including Hugh Laurie, Matthew McFadyen, and Riz Ahmed. 

Knightley’s statements come barely three weeks after “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson spoke about the rift between her and the famed author. 

During a conversation with Jay Shetty, Watson touched on her strained relationship with Rowling, which began when the author shared controversial views about the trans community in 2020. 

Watson had publicly opposed Rowling’s views on social media, writing, “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.”

Following that, Rowling held onto a grudge against Watson and other “Harry Potter” stars who spoke up. 

Despite the frostiness between her and the author, Watson told Shetty she still appreciates Rowling as an individual, even in light of their differing opinions. She also stressed that she has had personal experiences with the novelist, which she still treasures.

Still speaking on her fallout with Rowling, Watson noted that amidst everything, she was never able to talk to the author about the issue because “a conversation was never made possible.” 

Now, even after years of estrangement, the “Little Women” actress remains open to having the conversation she never got to have with Rowling. 

On being open to speaking to the author, Watson said, “Yeah, and I always will. I believe in that completely.” 

After Watson expressed affection for Rowling despite their opposing views, the latter embarked on a lengthy rant on X. She slammed the former for allegedly escalating the abuse she received from fans who wanted to boycott her. 

The Blast reported that the novelist also accused the actress of being inexperienced in life and ultimately being “ignorant of how ignorant she is” because she had a privileged life. 

Alongside Watson, Rowling also slammed Daniel Radcliffe, the title character in “Harry Potter.” She accused them of taking their work relationship for granted and using it as an excuse to publicly “critique” her and her views. 

Rowling further recalled that Watson had sent her a handwritten note after seemingly taking a dig at her during the 2022 BAFTAs. 

She slammed the note for being pretentious and pointed out that the actress had her number but instead chose to send a note that read, “I'm so sorry for what you're going through.”

The author explained that the note came at a time when the “death, rape, and torture threats” against her and her family were at an all-time high. 

She also pointed out that Watson had seemingly contributed to the attack she received, saying, “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.”