Work continues apace on the "Harry Potter" series, the HBO television project that aspires to take author J.K. Rowling's fantasy world to unprecedented heights , surpassing the achievements of the previous film adaptation. With work now in full swing, news is pouring in, ranging from optimistic developments to less encouraging ones, the latter primarily relating to how the cast is coping on and off the set.
Just last week, Rowling's transphobic stance sparked heated controversy once again, this time negatively addressed by actor John Lithgow, cast in the show as Albus Dumbledore. In his latest interview with the New York Times, the star admitted he even considered giving up the role. However, by choosing to stay, he reportedly resigned himself to the fact that: "In every interview I do for the rest of my life, this topic will come up."
Clarifying that he has never met Rowling and that he openly opposes her ideas, Lithgow also admitted he couldn't understand how someone capable of such artistic vivacity would support such retrograde and intolerant ideals. Believing, on the contrary, that the world of Harry Potter is entirely different, he added: "The wizarding world clearly stands with the angels, against intolerance and bigotry."
Equally dismaying were the latest comments from Paapa Essiedu, the African-American actor cast as Severus Snape. In an interview with The Sunday Times of London, he revealed that he had been going through a particularly difficult period in recent months, after being bombarded with insults and even receiving death threats from some users on social media. He said: "I've been told, 'Leave the show or I'll kill you.' It really matters. The reality is, if I look at Instagram, I'll see someone saying, 'I'm going to come to your house and kill you.' So, even if I'm pretty sure I won't be murdered... This could age badly!"
Admitting the consequences of an inevitable emotional breakdown, he added: "But yes, while I hope I'm okay, no one should have to go through something like this for doing their job. Many people risk their lives for their job. I play a wizard in Harry Potter. And I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me emotionally."
Determined, despite everything, not to give in to the attacks, he continued: " But the insults give me energy and make me even more determined to bring this character to life, because I think back to how I felt as a child. I imagined myself at Hogwarts on a broomstick and thought about the idea that a child like me could see himself represented in that world. This is the motivation for not being intimidated by those who say they'd rather see me die than do a job I'll be truly proud of."
Finally, revealing his childhood passion for the series, he concluded: "As a kid, I was a huge reader. My mother couldn't afford a babysitter during the holidays, so she took me to the library. I loved Harry Potter. I've never seen the films, but the novels were a form of escape when other things weren't easy for me. I'll be 45 when I finish, and I know my life will change significantly, but I just have to accept it. I might have kids when I finish this series."
Among the more positive developments, we note the show's desire to delve deeper into the content of the novel series. Finally, after nearly thirty years of mystery, we may learn more about an unsolved detail: the stain on Ron Weasley's face. According to a recent visit to the set, the first episodes will reveal the origin of the dirt stain that appeared on Ron's face shortly before his first meeting with Harry on the Hogwarts Express.
An aspect that, for many, might seem secondary compared to others, but which clearly denotes the scrupulousness and dedication of the television channel in preserving the integrity of the original work, potentially heralding the most respectful and comprehensive adaptation one could hope for.
