Harry Potter franchise debuts trans character in Hogwarts video game
The Harry Potter video game has launched the franchise’s first trans character, despite transphobia accusations against J.K. Rowling.
A highly anticipated Harry Potter video game will reportedly feature a trans character, despite author J.K. Rowling’s ongoing controversial comments about the transgender community.
Hogwarts Legacy is set two centuries ago in the wizarding world created by the British author, where a witch named Sirona Ryan runs the Three Broomsticks tavern in Hogsmeade village, New York Post reports.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the character states that her classmates didn’t realise at first she “was actually a witch, not a wizard” during a conversation concerning another character, a goblin named Lodgok.
“I’ve known [Lodgok] for years,” Sirona says in the game, as per EW.
“We met when I was waiting tables here as a student – well before I bought the place. He was cordial enough, but we weren’t friends then,” the character continues. “His mistrust of wizardkind ran deep … Hadn’t seen him in years when he came in a few months ago. But, he recognised me instantly. Which is more than I can say for some of my own classmates. Took them a second to realise I was actually a witch, not a wizard.”
The Post has contacted Warner Bros. Games for confirmation.
Rowling, 57, has previously faced backlash for her views about the transgender community, causing Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, as well as Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne to make statements denouncing the author’s comments.
The game’s official site states that Rowling was not involved in the creation of the game.
It reads: “While remaining true to J.K. Rowling’s original vision, Portkey game developers chart new territory by creating fresh ways for fans to immerse themselves in the Wizarding World.”
Recently, actor Sebastian Croft, who voices a character in the video game, responded to criticism he’d received concerning the British author, after revealing his part in Hogwarts Legacy.
“I was cast in this project over three years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with,” Croft, 21, said on Twitter.
“This was long before I was aware of J.K. Rowling’s views. I believe wholeheartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men.”
Hogwarts Legacy game director Alan Tew told IGN in January they were aware there is a diverse Harry Potter fanbase when creating the game.
“I think for us there are challenges in every game we’ve worked on. This game has been no different,” Mr Tew said.
“When we bumped into those challenges, we went back and refocused on the stuff that we really care about.”
Mr Tew went on to say that he believes Harry Potter fans fell in love with the Wizarding World for the right reasons.
“We know that’s a diverse audience. For us, it’s making sure that the audience, who always dreamt of having this game, had the opportunity to feel welcomed back,” he said.
“That they have a home here and that it’s a good place to tell their story.”
Hogwarts Legacy opens for play on February 10, 2023.
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission
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