Canadian filmmaker Ally Pankiw revealed 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 took to Instagram to share a text conversation where she adamantly rejected the opportunity, stating, “Absolutely f–king not!”
Expressing her stance against funding transphobia, Pankiw emphasized how easy it was for her to turn down the offer. She clarified that the role in question was for directing, not acting. Pankiw, known for directing episodes of “Black Mirror” and the series “Feel Good,” as well as the film “I Used to be Funny,” made her decision clear in the exchange dated April 21.
The new “Harry Potter” series, titled “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on December 25, 2026. Based on J.K. Rowling’s popular fantasy book series, the show will stream on Crave in Canada. Rowling, the author, has faced backlash for her controversial views on transgender issues, including her public statements and creation of the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund.
The decision to decline involvement in the series has also been echoed by director and writer Kate Herron, known for her work on “Loki” and other successful projects. Herron shared her own experience of turning down offers to work on the “Harry Potter” series, reiterating her unwavering stance against participation.
While Pankiw praised Herron’s decision, there has been no response from HBO’s parent company regarding refusals in the show’s production. Neither Pankiw’s representatives nor HBO has provided further context on the text exchange at this time. The series has faced criticism and controversy due to Rowling’s views, leading to scrutiny and pushback from various individuals and organizations.