JK Rowling has said she does not have the authority to fire Paapa Essidu from the Harry Potter TV adaptation for his support of the trans community – nor would she, apparently. Following the UK Supreme Court ruling in April that trans women are not legally defined as women under the 2010 Equality Act,

It was speculated that J.K. Rowling would get Paapa Essiedu fired from the upcoming series adaptation of Harry Potter. Essiedu, who has joined the series as Severus Snape, is among the hundreds of industry professionals who have signed a letter supporting trans rights.