“Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole” — Nicola Coughlan says she wouldn’t watch HBO’s Harry Potter series following her JK Rowling criticism

Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan has spoken out against HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series after J.K. Rowling celebrated the U.K. Supreme Court's recent ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological s*x, not gender.

In response, the Irish actress, known for her trans activism, expressed her displeasure at the outcome on Instagram. She also took to IG stories (now expired) to repost an article by The Cut titled "This Is a New Low for J.K. Rowling," with the message:

"Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole."

The author is facing backlash after she shared a post on her X celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling. It featured her sitting on an oceanfront balcony with a drink in one hand as she smoked a cigar. She wrote:

"I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights."

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Nicola Coughlan started a fundraiser in support of trans community

For the unversed, last November, HBO told Variety that they were working with Rowling on a Harry Potter TV series. At the time, they defended the author's involvement, stating she had a right to express her personal views.

It is worth noting that Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character in the films, has previously shown support for the trans community. In an interview with the Atlantic in 2020, he stated:

"Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people."

Since then his co-stars, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who played Hermione and Ron, respectively, have made similar comments. J.K. Rowling, in a recent X interaction, seemingly referenced her disappointment in the three actors.

A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @jk_rowling)

In a landmark decision last Wednesday, the U.K.’s Supreme Court ruled that in the country's Equality Act 2010, the term women refers to biological women and does not include transgender women.

Nicola Coughlan was quick to express her disappointment at the decision. In addition to the IG story, the actress also continued to show her support for the trans community and criticize the ruling. She shared a video of herself expressing her horror, adding:

"To see an already marginalised community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach churning and disgusting, and to see people celebrate it is more stomach-churning and disgusting."

Nicola Coughlan continued to urge others in the community and allies to "speak up" in support and continue their fight. The Derry Girls star also launched a fundraiser in support of Not A Phase. The charity focused on uplifting the community through "awareness campaigning, social projects, and funding trans+ lead initiatives."

According to the Pink News, the effort's initial fundraising target was set at £10,000, with Nicola Coughlan matching the final figure. After meeting the target within an hour, the actress raised it to £70,000. Per the outlet, by Friday, it had raised over £63,000.

Nicola Coughlan is not the only Bridgerton star to criticize the ruling. Charithra Chandran similarly slammed it in a TikTok post, calling it "loser behavior." She added:

"I have never felt unsafe around a trans woman, ever. My womanhood has never felt threatened by a trans woman, ever. And if your womanhood has, I think that speaks more to the fragility of your womanhood than anything about trans women."

She questioned why the anti-trans activists who claim to "care about women’s sports and women’s safety" never petition for funding for women’s sports or better regulations to persecute s*xual predators.

Rowling has not publicly reacted to Nicola Coughlan's comments.