After receiving criticism for their role in the Hogwarts Legacy video game, one of the game’s main actors has released a statement in which they express their unwavering support for the transgender community.
Hogwarts Legacy voice actor issues statement after casting backlash
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On Twitter, Sebastian Croft, who voices one of the game’s protagonists, responded to a post from a pro-trans account that has since been deleted by saying, “I was cast in this project over three years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with. This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling’s views.”
I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with. This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling’s views.
I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men. https://t.co/QTAMClZDda— Sebastian Croft (@SebastianCroft) January 14, 2023
“I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men. I know far more now than I did three years ago, and hope to learn far more in the next three. I’m really sorry to anyone hurt by this announcement. There is no LGB without the T.”
Heartstopper, a Netflix show based on a series of graphic novels about a romance between two British teenagers, gave Croft his biggest break. Both the books and the Netflix show have been lauded for their LBGT representation.
Some people may have felt that Croft’s decision to work on Hogwarts Legacy negated the benefits of Heartstopper. Others have noted that, since his casting, Croft appears to have participated in other JK Rowling projects; he was spotted at last year’s performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the author’s comments about transgender people date back more than three years.
Croft’s defenders point to the actor’s support for a variety of LGBT+ causes and point out that he was only 17 or 18 when cast, so he may have honestly been unaware of Rowling’s comments when he accepted the role.
Simon Pegg, who will play Hogwarts headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black, was among the first cast members revealed by Avalanche Studios last week. Amelia Gething, Croft’s opposite number, was also revealed; she serves as the protagonist’s alternate narrator.
GamesRadar+ recognizes J.K. Rowling’s contribution to the Wizarding World and her harmful public statements regarding transgender people’s rights, even though she is not involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy. Donations to organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality (opens in new tab) in the United States or Mermaids (opens in new tab) in the United Kingdom would be greatly appreciated by the communities that have been negatively impacted by Rowling’s comments.
