Harry Potter has finally introduced “they/them” pronouns to the Wizarding World.
JK Rowling has made her views on transgender people and those who identify as non-binary abundantly clear over the last few years.
Several divisive tweets have seen her lock horns with members of the trans community and LGBT rights organizations, which has led to plenty of online discourse surrounding the world-famous Harry Potter author while fueling debates around cancel culture and free speech. This has also resulted in Rowling being labeled a “TERF,” which means “trans-exclusionary radical feminist,” a group that doesn’t acknowledge trans-women as women.
Though she denies being transphobic, Rowling has still been widely condemned for her gender-critical views. Several actors from the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), have criticized her. Others, however, such as Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), and Miriam Margoyles (Professor Sprout), have defended her.
Whether or not you believe JK Rowling is transphobic doesn’t change the fact that the once-innocent Wizarding World brand has been mired in lots of controversy over the past five or so years. Detailing every story relating to Rowling’s views and the backlash she’s received would probably take about as much time as it would to read all seven Harry Potter books.
But unless you’ve been locked in Azkaban all this time, you’ll likely be up to speed. Either way, despite the fact that many Harry Potter fans have abandoned the Wizarding World due to Rowling’s views, she remains just as involved with the franchise. In fact, she’s an executive producer for the Harry Potter reboot, which will be comprised of seven seasons, each based on one of the books, upon which it will be a more “faithful adaptation” than the films.
Related:HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Could Finally Embrace Dumbledore’s Sexuality
While Warner Bros. has reportedly said it’s making a “concerted effort to cast more people of color” in the Harry Potter TV series, it remains to be seen whether the show will go the extra mile in terms of diversification and include trans and/or non-binary characters.
Last year, however, the open-world video game “Hogwarts Legacy” (2023) surprised fans when it introduced the first transgender character to the franchise: Sirona Ryan, a witch and the proprietress of the Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade Village, played by English actress Rebecca Root (Last Christmas), who’s also a transgender woman.
The game was boycotted by some fans in the lead up to its release due to Rowling’s association with the wider franchise, and though the trans character also garnered plenty of controversy, with some fans convinced pointing out that “Sirona” includes the male prefix “Sir” and that the surname “Ryan” is a traditionally masculine name, Rowling was not involved with the creation of the game.
Related: Weasleys May Be Portrayed by Actors of Color in ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot
On the official “Hogwarts Legacy” website’s Frequently Asked Questions page, it is stated that the developers “collaborated closely” with Rowling but that she was “not involved in the creation” of the game. Read the full answer from the FAQs below:
“JK Rowling was not involved in the creation of the game, but as creator of the wizarding world and one of the world’s greatest storytellers, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. This is not a new story from JK Rowling, however we have collaborated closely with her team on all aspects of the game to ensure it remains in line with the magical experiences fans expect.”
So, while Rowling obviously has a great deal of influence over the upcoming television series and other areas of the franchise, it looks like she doesn’t have the final word on everything.
And now, another Wizarding World video game continues to diversify the brand. The online multiplayer title “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions” (2024), released on September 3, is a reboot of the 2003 game “Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup,” and, as such, is centered around the iconic sport made famous in the books and the films.
Players can assume the role of well-known characters such as Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy. Or, they can create their very own.
Customization includes choosing your body type, hair color, eye color, facial structure, skin tone, attire, headwear, eyewear, celebratory poses, and signature victory moves. However, it also gives you the option to choose your preferred pronouns, which means you can pick “he/him,” “she/her,” or the gender-neutral pronouns, “they/them,” so that the game’s narration system can refer to you correctly.
This is the first time the franchise has included the use “they/them” pronouns. While it’s a huge step forward for the LGBTQ+ community, it still breaks canon as it’s not something that was ever mentioned or even remotely hinted at in the source material.
And naturally, there are two schools of thought on the matter. On X (formerly Twitter), some users are thrilled that the game has introduced non-binary language, others not so much.
“I just know JK Rowling would be seething if she knew,” says @felixw1 with a laughing face emoji:
The new #HarryPotter game #QuidditchChampions let’s users use they/them pronouns and I just know JK Rowling would be seething if she knew
The new #HarryPotter game #QuidditchChampions let’s users use they/them pronouns and I just know JK Rowling would be seething if she knew 🤣
— Felix Wood #FreePalestine 🇵🇸 (@felixw1) September 3, 2024
“Somewhere in a mouldy shack in Edinburgh, a lone scream rings out,” jokes @JordanMiddler, referring, of course, to the author:
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions features the option to use They/Them pronouns. Somewhere in a mouldy shack in Edinburgh, a lone scream rings out.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions features the option to use They/Them pronouns.
Somewhere in a mouldy shack in Edinburgh, a lone scream rings out. pic.twitter.com/JQLjMBdFmt
— Jordan Middler (@JordanMiddler) September 3, 2024
“It’s perfect!” says @MarcAndreRoss, adding that they “hope it frustrates” JK Rowling:
I am testing the beta of the new video game « Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions». When creating a character, you can choose “They/Them” pronouns. It’s perfect! I hope it frustrates @jk_rowling#HarryPotter #quidditch #PS5
I am testing the beta of the new video game « Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions ».
When creating a character, you can choose “They/Them” pronouns.
It’s perfect!
I hope it frustrates @jk_rowling 😅 #HarryPotter #quidditch #PS5 pic.twitter.com/5cRrnyLBKw
— Marc-André Ross (@MarcAndreRoss) August 2, 2024
@RedDevilJay1 says they “deleted the game upon loading” due to the pronouns option:
Deleted the game upon loading to see you are forced to use pronouns! What a load of sh*t #HarrypotterQuidditch #QuidditchChampions
Deleted the game upon loading to see you are forced to use pronouns! What a load of sh*t #HarrypotterQuidditch #QuidditchChampions
— RedDevilJay (@RedDevilJay1) September 3, 2024
We’re sure this is just the beginning of a new wave of online discourse surrounding the franchise — the cauldron has officially been stirred once again.
Watch the official gameplay trailer for “Quidditch Champions” below per the official Harry Potter YouTube channel:
Related:‘Harry Potter’ Reboot May Be Canon With the Film Series After All
Per Warner Bros. Games, “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions” features “iconic wizarding world locations, characters, and references that fans will love” while highlighting “the rush of flying across legendary arenas as either a Beater, Chaser, Keeper or Seeker in a variety of modes,” all the while “playing as — or against — iconic characters such as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and many other quintessential characters.”
The game was released on September 3 for PC Games, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch.
Visit the official website to find out more about “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions.”
Will you be playing “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions”? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
