Canadian filmmaker Ally Pankiw announced on Thursday that she declined an offer to direct an upcoming television series based on the Harry Potter franchise, citing her refusal to support transphobia. Pankiw shared a text conversation on her Instagram account rejecting the opportunity to work on the HBO show.
“It’s straightforward to reject funding that promotes transphobia,” Pankiw stated in her Instagram post. She clarified that her decision pertained to directing and not acting.
Known for directing episodes of Black Mirror and the complete first season of Feel Good, as well as the 2023 film I Used to be Funny, Pankiw, aged 39, expressed her stance against the project. The date of the exchange was April 21, but the recipient of Pankiw’s message was not disclosed in the post.
The new Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled for release on HBO Max on December 25, 2026. The show, based on J.K. Rowling’s renowned fantasy book series, will be available on Crave in Canada.
Rowling has faced backlash for her views on transgender issues, with controversies stemming from her public statements. In response to criticism, Rowling has defended her opinions on gender and sex. Last month, she reiterated her stance that “Trans women aren’t women,” sparking further debate.
The author’s viewpoints have caused divisions within the Harry Potter community, including among actors from the film series. Notably, Canadian chain Tim Hortons faced backlash for its Harry Potter collaboration, reflecting similar controversies surrounding other related projects.
Director Kate Herron also declined an offer to work on the Harry Potter series, expressing solidarity with Pankiw’s decision. Herron, recognized for her work on Loki and other popular series, commended Pankiw and emphasized the difficulty of rejecting such opportunities.
Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO, has not responded to inquiries about refusals impacting the show’s production. Additionally, Pankiw’s representative has yet to provide further details on the text exchange.