J.K. Rowling affirms Paapa Essiedu's role in "Harry Potter" despite their disagreement on transgender rights.

J.K. Rowling will not dismiss actor Paapa Essiedu from the "Harry Potter" series despite her public disagreements with transgender rights. Essiedu, who will play Severus Snape in the HBO adaptation, signed a petition supporting transgender rights. Despite Rowling's vocal opposition to certain transgender rights issues, she emphasizes that she does not believe in dismissing people from their jobs due to differing views. HBO also confirms that the show will focus on its content rather than personal opinions.