For more than a decade, J.K. Rowling was one of the most popular and beloved authors in the world. Her 1997 book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (AKA Sorcerer’s Stone), launched what would become one of the most successful franchises in history, with the books selling more than 600 million copies, and the eight films making nearly $8 billion.In addition to the seven books and eight movies, the franchise also created three spinoff films — Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald (2018), and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).And now, a brand-new Harry Potter series is being filmed and is expected to be released on HBO Max sometime in 2027.Credit: Warner Bros.Related: HBO Reveals First Look at Our New ‘Harry Potter’!Unfortunately, in the past few years, Ms. Rowling has gone from one of the world’s most beloved authors to one of the most controversial. She has been an outspoken critic of the transgender community and has poured millions of dollars into helping the UK government pass anti-transgender legislation. She has openly celebrated anti-trans legislation and has repeatedly said that transgender women are not women.Rowling’s views have destroyed her relationships with many Harry Potter stars, including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Katie Leung (Cho Chang), Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley), Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley), and David Tennant (Barty Crouch Jr.).Credit: Potter McFly, FlickrRelated: Pedro Pascal Doesn’t Regret Calling JK Rowling a “Heinous Loser”There are a few actors who have stood by Rowling or have chosen to play the fence, including Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy).And now, another actor is speaking out, and while she doesn’t agree with Rowling’s extremist views, she has not been as harsh as others.In a new interview on the Gay Old Times podcast, Miriam Margolyes has said that she thinks Ms. Rowling’s views are “too harsh.”I don’t agree with her about the trans issue – I think her opinion is too harsh. It’s not good to be so furious. We should be gentler with each other. We’re all oppressed by sections of the community. Let’s just be kinder. I really just feel supportive about this tiny group of people who are trans, and if they want me to use pronouns, I think it’s the right thing to do. If you can make people happy, do it.Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, Warner Bros.Related: Second ‘Harry Potter’ Banned From Driving After Court ConvictionThis is not the first time that Margolyes has spoken out about Rowling’s comments and actions.The actress — who is openly gay — at first seemed to defend Rowling, saying that everyone’s anger towards her was misplaced. However, she didn’t agree with Rowling destroying her relationship with Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint. She said that the actors were adults, and they did not owe her undying loyalty simply because they had starred in her films.She has also said that she doesn’t understand why people like Rowling are so “nasty.”“Why are people so nasty? There are so few trans people. And I just think people should be allowed to get on and be who they are, or be who they want to be, without all this nastiness.”Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, Warner Bros.Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Tragically Reveals She “Doesn’t Have Long to Live”Despite the backlash against her, Rowling is continuing to double down on her anti-trans beliefs. She proudly talks about helping pass anti-transgender legislation, and has seemed to become even more outspoken as the criticism surrounding her grows.HBO is also standing by Rowling, even as fans say they will boycott the new series if she is a part of it. HBO has defended Rowling’s comments and has confirmed that she is serving in an executive producer role on the series.The post Another ‘Harry Potter’ Star Speaks Out on JK Rowling, Calls Her “Too Harsh” appeared first on Inside the Magic.