David Tennant takes ‘classy’ swipe at JK Rowling over Harry Potter series

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David Tennant has taken a cheeky swipe at JK Rowling after the acclaimed author ignited a feud with him on social media.

The Doctor Who star put in an appearance at Planet Comicon Kansas City this weekend, meeting fans, signing autographs and sitting on a panel to talk about his career.

During the session, Tennant, 53, was asked about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which has been green-lit by HBO and is set to premiere in 2027, 15 years after the franchise ended in film form with Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The host of the panel quizzed the Scottish star on whether he’d like to play any characters, with the casting process currently underway and since Tennant played Bartemius Crouch Junior in the Goblet of Fire.

His response, however, was rather scathing, as he subtly alluded to his beef with writer Rowling, 59, who is producing on the series.

‘I mean, they’re great stories,’ the Broadchurch actor began. ‘I feel like my contribution has probably been made.’

David Tennant has made it clear where he stands when it comes to JK Rowling (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)

‘I’m told there’s an executive producer who doesn’t love me on that show,’ he added, earning rapturous applause, cheers, and laughter from the audience.

Feigning bewilderment, Tennant shrugged as he repeated: ‘I was told recently!’

Of course, it didn’t take long for footage of the moment to circulate online, with X user @dizzypinwheel praising the star’s ‘classy’ response.

@goingonmyway0 laughed: ‘Hehehe he’s sooo smooth about it’, while @Clxckwork urged him to ‘drag’ Rowling.

Tennant’s remarks referred to Rowling taking aim at him on X late last year.

After the Conservative Party chose Kemi Badenoch to be their new leader, Rowling was reminded of Tennant saying he wished the politician would ‘shut up’ during his acceptance speech for an LGBT ally award.

The Harry Potter author has repeatedly come under fire for social media posts about the trans community (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

The vocal supporter of trans rights made the dig at Badenoch after the MP for North West Essex supported her party’s pledge to protect single-sex spaces in the Equality Act.

‘I don’t wish ill of her; I just wish her to shut up,’ he said at the ceremony in June.

The new Tory leader then retorted: ‘I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls.

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‘A rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology he can’t see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by calling publicly for my existence to end.’

So, when Badenoch was made head of the Tories, Rowling saw an opportunity.

She tweeted: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time.’

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all come out with statements in stark contrast to Rowlings, vocally supporting trans people (Picture: AP)

Rowling has made headlines several times in recent years due to her controversial views on trans rights, having engaged in social media activity on the subject since the 2010s.

In stark contrast, Harry Potter child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all made comments in support of the community, while Rowling has slammed trans people as ‘cross-dressing straight men’ and accused them of ‘caricaturing women’ in past posts.

Therefore, when news of a Harry Potter TV series arose, former fans of the franchise, as well as outsiders, repeatedly criticised those who signed on to be involved, as though they were endorsing her beliefs.

So far, it has been confirmed that John Lithgow intended to play Albus Dumbledore.

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