Harry Potter Live Action TV Series Potentially in the Works… and We’re Over It

This week The Hollywood Reporter published an article with the following headline: “‘Harry Potter’ Live-Action TV Series in Early Development at HBO Max (Exclusive).” Although no details have been officially confirmed and we have yet to see any information coming out of HBO offices, “[s]ources tell The Hollywood Reporter that executives at the WarnerMedia-backed streamer have engaged in multiple conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas that would bring the beloved property to television.” Of course, conversations don’t necessarily mean anything will come to fruition, but with the amount of money this franchise brings in, a Harry Potter TV series feels inevitable.

Listen, I get it. I grew up with Harry Potter. I went to midnight release parties decked out in Gryffindor gear and stayed up way past my bedtime to get a head start on reading. I’ve seen every movie at least a dozen times. I visited the Warner Bros. studio in the UK and drank overpriced butterbeer and cried over the costumes. I get it. But I also get that sometimes, no matter how much you love a formative piece of art, there comes a time where you have to make a decision about where you’re placing your support (and your money).

The truth of the matter is that there’s no way to consume a Harry Potter TV series — or any Harry Potter content — without lining J. K. Rowling’s pockets. And by now, it’s public knowledge that J. K. Rowling is not only a terrible person, but an incredibly dangerous one as well, as anyone with a huge platform spewing ignorant, bigoted bullshit always is.

The fact that capitalism trumps ethics and basic human decency isn’t really a surprise, but it is frustrating to be reminded of this again and again, especially at the cost of respecting transfolk. It’s high time we remember that our trans brothers and sisters are the most vulnerable members of our community and that we’re only at our best when we’re looking out for one another.

Anyway, whether this Harry Potter TV series happens or not, here’s a list of trans and non-binary creators and organizations you can support instead:

The Okra Project
“A collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever we can reach them.”

TransLash
A trans-led project that uses storytelling to help advance the understanding and acceptance of transfolk in order “to create a world in which all forms of gender expression have equal rights, protections, and opportunities, as well as the ability to live freely and openly in all forms.”

Automic Gold
Gorgeous, sustainable jewelry created for all genders and all sizes.

BatMe! Cosmetics
The first Black transwoman to open up a makeup company, Jayla Roxx makes affordable, vegan-based, gluten & cruelty free products for everyone.

Bye Gender
Originally founded in 2012 to help provide funding for surgeries, Bye Gender provides assistance to “transgender people who have limited access to housing, or work due to disability, are unable to find employment due to their trans statues, or are unable to afford their HIV meds or hormones.”

Trans-owned shops on Etsy
From stickers to T-shirts to mugs, trans creators on Etsy sell everything you can ever wish for to show off your pride, allyship, and support.

What are your thoughts on a new Harry Potter TV series? And are there anymore trans creators we need to know about? Let us know.