A play set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer that critiques Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's views on gender is facing casting difficulties. The drama, titled "TERF," authored by Joshua Kaplan, has struggled to cast female actors willing to portray Rowling and Emma Watson. Despite more than 90 actresses declining roles, the play has secured male leads.
"TERF" imagines an intervention for Rowling by the main stars of the Harry Potter franchise: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. This production will run at the Ian McKellen Theatre from August 2 to 25, under creative producer Barry Church-Woods.
The casting challenge, especially for female roles, is partly attributed to agents' reluctance, fearing it might affect their clients' prospects of securing roles in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, backed by HBO and slated for a 2026 debut.
Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint publicly criticized Rowling in 2020 for her views on gender and transgender issues. Radcliffe stated, "Transgender women are women," while Watson and Grint issued supportive statements, disapproving of Rowling's comments. Eddie Redmayne, star of the Fantastic Beasts series, also expressed his disagreement with Rowling's stance.