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29 September 2020 11:17 AM

Eddie Redmayne condemns ‘disgusting vitriol’ aimed at JK Rowling as he returns to work on Fantastic Beasts

The actor, who played a trans woman in The Danish Girl, also denounced the 'torrent of abuse towards trans people'.

By Jamie Tabberer

Eddie Redmayne has defended JK Rowling, saying she has received “vitriol” for her views on trans people – while, in the same interview, speaking out against the ‘torrent of abuse’ trans people face.

The star is currently working on the third film in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series, on which Rowling serves as co-writer and producer.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the actor – who was Oscar-nominated for playing trans woman Lile Elbe in 2015 film the Danish Girl – called the “vitriol” aimed at Rowling “absolutely disgusting”.

He then called the abuse trans people experience on social media “equally disgusting”, adding: “Similarly, there continues to be a hideous torrent of abuse towards trans people online and out in the world that is devastating.”

Redmayne added that “trans friends and colleagues” are “having their human rights challenged around the world and facing discrimination on a daily basis.”

 
 
 
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According to the publication, the star is back shooting Fantastic Beasts after Covid-19 shut down production earlier this year and sent Rowling a private note over the trans row.

The 38-year-old previously spoke out in disagreement over Rowling’s trans views, telling Variety in June: “Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process.

“As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand.

 
 
 
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J.K. Rowling at the UK Premiere of #FantasticBeasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald! 💫

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“I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.”

Redmayne won an Oscar in 2015 for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything. He plays Newt Scamander in FBAWTFT. 

Harry Potter creator Rowling has become infamous for her views on trans people, from addressing “people who menstruate” earlier this year (” I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she tweeted in June) to recently promoting a shop selling transphobic products on social media.

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