Rupert Grint compares JK Rowling to an ‘auntie’ he doesn’t ‘necessarily agree with’

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Wiki

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint has said he sees JK Rowling as an “auntie” who he doesn’t “necessarily agree with” on everything, seemingly in reference to the Harry Potter author’s views on sex and gender.

Grint, who played Ron Weasley, in all eight of the Harry Potter films has previously spoken out in support of trans people following Rowling’s comments on the subject.

In a statement, the 33-year-old actor said he “firmly stands with the trans community.” He then elaborated on this in an essay for the Times last January.

“It’s a tricky one.”

Speaking again to The Times a year later, Grint said: “I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Ruperts discusses feeling “useless” as a dad to his 20-month-old child and finding it hard to detach himself from the film series that made his name, saying he and Ron “merged into the same person”.

Grint was one of many Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to distance themselves from Rowling’s comments in the wake of the controversy they caused. 

Last year, the writer mocked men who menstruate and published an essay where she cited concerns about single-sex spaces such as bathrooms and changing rooms and that she has “deep concerns about the effect the trans rights movement”.

Since then, she has claimed that “hundreds” of trans activists have threatened to “beat, rape, assassinate and bomb” her, while doubling down on her views.

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