Keira Knightley has addressed the backlash she is facing for her involvement as one of the voice actors in Audible's Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions.
A few months ago, the star-studded cast for the audiobook series based on the J.K. Rowling novel was announced. However, their involvement received backlash from fans as some of them felt that they were complicit in the author's controversial views on the transgender community and did not align with the boycott against her.
What is Keira Knightley's Reaction to the Backlash on Her Harry Potter Audiobook Involvement?
In an interview with Decider, Knightley opened up about the backlash surrounding her involvement as the voice of Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions.
She claimed that she was "not aware" of the fan boycott on the Harry Potter franchise following Rowling's controversial views about the transgender community.
"You know, I think we’re all living in a period of time right now where we’re all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren’t we? And we’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect," the actress said.
The backlash against Rowling has been ongoing in the last few years as the author continues to share her controversial views regarding the transgender community, and her comments have been viewed as transphobic. However, some feminist groups have also defended Rowling.
Despite the criticisms against the actors who joined the audiobook project, there is no indication that some of them have left or will be recast in response.
What to Expect in Audible's Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions
Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions is the audiobook adaptation of all seven novels in the Harry Potter series. It promises to bring the Harry Potter stories to life as never heard before.
Each audiobook comes with a stunning score, mesmerising performances from A-list actors, original music, and real-world sound capture. Featuring beloved stars of the stage and screen, this innovative audiobook project has a powerhouse ensemble of over 200 voices – one for every character in the Harry Potter series.
The cast includes Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall, and Cush Jumbo as narrator. Arabella Stanton, who is set to play Hermione Granger in the HBO series, also voices the character in this project.
The first episode, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone, is set to release this November 4.
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