JK Rowling due to pocket £16m thanks to Harry Potter TV reboot deal

Controversial author J.K. Rowling is apparently due to rake in massive profits from the recently announced Harry Potter TV reboot, despite the plans for a boycott.

In case you missed it, the Harry Potter reboot was announced last month. Adapted by Max (formerly HBO Max), the decade-long series will once again tell the story of the seven main Harry Potter books, except this time with a completely different cast. It’s hoped that this will “lead a new generation of fandom”.

Take a look at the teaser trailer for the Harry Potter TV series below.

From the get-go, it was confirmed that Rowling will serve as an executive producer on the series, but many former fans have made it clear that they’ll be boycotting it as a result. However, according to the Daily Mail, Rowling could be set to earn £16 million per year due to the show.

For context, Rowling continues to face criticism for making harmful comments about the trans community, including an essay she published in 2020 - titled J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues - in which she detailed her concerns that trans activism could somehow harm cisgender women’s rights.

Rowling is aware of the boycott, and recently responded on Twitter: “Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I’ve taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.”

In a recent Q&A, chief content officer of HBO and Max, Casey Bloys was asked if he thought that the producers may struggle to cast the show as a result of Rowling’s views, but he didn’t directly respond, and instead shut the question down as “a very online conversation”. He said: “Our priority is what’s on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority - what’s on screen.”

Bloys continued: “The TV show is new and we’re excited about that, but, remember, we’ve been in the Potter business for 20 years. This is not a new decision for us, we’re very comfortable being in the Potter business.”