Of course, not everyone who enjoys Harry Potter will align themselves with Rowling’s beliefs, but the author’s stance has become toxic for the previously untouchable property, with the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne publicly denouncing her views. HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has claimed that the new show is not reflective of them either, despite Rowling acting as an executive producer.

But we have now reached a point where a direct line can be drawn between everything related to Potter and the anti-transgender movement. Thanks to Rowling’s rampant and relentless campaigning – from her cigar-toting selfies to her frequent posting on X – not a word will be written or spoken about this new series without giving valuable airtime to the idea that trans people do not deserve the same rights as cis people.

This is not a case of theoretically separating the art from the artist because Rowling is still very much profiting from her work and choosing to spend those profits to further her cause. She was a donor to For Women Scotland whose challenge to the definition of gender under the Equality Act led to the recent decision by the UK Supreme Court to exclude trans women from its protections. This weekend, her latest organisation was announced: the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, “a legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights”. In practice, this means JK Rowling footing the bills for legal battles brought about by gender-critical individuals and organisations from her own vast wealth.

As such, it can legitimately be argued that consumption of any and all Harry Potter related content and products is an endorsement of Rowling’s agenda. Lining her pockets is now not just about the amplification of a hateful ideology from a position of great influence but akin to donating directly to the oppression of trans people.

Without the Rowling of it all, a new version of Harry Potter would be a fairly boring and needless proposition – one that embodies the laziness and artistic impotence that is currently suffocating a TV and film industry overrun by remakes and sequels. But with the political context of Rowling’s transphobia, it becomes morally as well as creatively bankrupt. You might even say cursed.