Andrew Garfield has taken a swipe at JK Rowling, dubbing the author “she that shall remain nameless,” while explaining why he believes interacting with the Harry Potter universe has become “controversial,” according to a new interview.
In a conversation with Hits Radio, the 42-year-old actor discussed the ongoing public debate around the hugely popular fantasy series and Rowling’s much-criticised views on gender, which are frequently described as anti-trans.
Garfield likened Rowling to the franchise’s infamous antagonist Voldemort — “He who shall not be named” — but was careful to separate that criticism from his positive feelings about the films themselves, which have remained beloved across generations.
He revealed he’d only just watched the movie adaptations for the first time, but said Rowling’s public stance and activism have, in his view, changed how some people now feel about supporting the brand.
Beginning with praise for the eight films released between 2001 and 2011 — which propelled Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint to worldwide fame — Garfield said the series impressed him more than he expected.
Garfield said in the interview: “I hadn’t watched the Harry Potters until recently … and he’s [Daniel Radcliffe] really good in those Harry Potter movies. Those Harry Potter movies are really good.”
But despite his enthusiasm, he acknowledged that for many viewers the franchise now sits inside a larger cultural flashpoint. As he put it, “I know it’s, like, controversial”.
With an HBO reboot of Harry Potter planned for this Christmas, Garfield argued that separating the creator from the commercial machine is difficult — particularly, he suggested, when the franchise can generate money that may indirectly bolster political activity he opposes.
Garfield said: “We shouldn’t be, you know, putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless.”
Andrew Garfield says he recently watched the Harry Potter films for the first time, but added:
“we shouldn’t be putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless.”
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) March 27, 2026
His remarks referred to reporting around Rowling’s financial support for an anti-trans campaigning group in Scotland. The group pursued legal action culminating in a UK Supreme Court ruling that stated references to “women” or “sex” in British law relate only to people born biologically female.
Even so, Garfield framed his criticism as a caveat to his appreciation of the films, emphasising that the movies reflect the work of countless creatives beyond the original author.
Reflecting on his recent viewing, he shared: “But the soul and the spirit of a lot of the essence of the themes of those films, and all the artisans and craftspeople…
“I’m working with a wonderful make-up artist, Claire, right now who was working in the creature workshop. I feel like, oh man, we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films.”
Ultimately, Garfield said the experience left him with greater respect for the craftspeople behind the production, even as wider controversy continues to shape how the series is discussed and consumed.