Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor best known for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, remained fiercely loyal to J.K. Rowling long after the franchise ended.
While promoting his film Great Expectations (2012), he was asked about the criticism Rowling often received from fans and the press (via The Guardian). His response was blunt and unapologetic:
It f**ks me off wildly that they wouldn’t treat her like a human being.
They think, ‘Oh, she’s a multi-millionairess, therefore she’s out of touch with real people.
Coltrane believed the real issue was that fans had stopped seeing Rowling as a person. In his eyes, her success had made her an easy target, and the endless criticism revealed more about people’s envy than about Rowling herself.
For him, the backlash was not about her books or beliefs; it was about how fame can twist admiration into resentment. And as it turned out, his defense of her did not stop there.
Robbie Coltrane Defended J.K. Rowling Against Fan Backlash
Coltrane never hesitated to stand up for Rowling, even when it meant inviting controversy. Back in 2012, he said exactly what he thought: Rowling had worked hard, written a generation-defining story, and did not deserve the sniping that came with success. As the years went on and Rowling’s image grew more divisive, Coltrane’s loyalty never wavered.
When Rowling’s views on gender and identity set off an internet storm in 2020, he jumped back into the conversation. Speaking to Radio Times (via Pink News), he said:
I don’t think what she said was offensive really. I don’t know why, but there’s a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended.
Coltrane saw it as proof that the internet had made fans fickle, more interested in outrage than perspective.
His consistent support for Rowling showed a kind of loyalty that is almost extinct in celebrity culture. Yet as Rowling’s public image grew more controversial, fans were left wondering: can you really separate the art from the artist anymore?
How J.K. Rowling’s Controversies Changed the Harry Potter Fandom
The Harry Potter fandom is no longer just about magic; it has become a debate club that never logs off. Once united by books and midnight movie releases, fans are now split over whether loving the series means supporting its creator. Some say the story “belongs to the people now“; others argue that ignoring Rowling’s views is just selective morality.
Even the stars of the franchise weighed in. Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe both publicly disagreed with Rowling’s remarks, emphasizing support for the trans community (via Variety), a move that fractured the fandom further.
Major fan sites like Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet, which once celebrated Rowling, began distancing themselves (via The Guardian). Even the Warner Bros. team has reportedly kept her out of major press events to avoid controversy (via Sky News).
The whole “separate the art from the artist” dilemma has become the internet’s favorite gray area. Can you still enjoy the Harry Potter series without backing the person behind them? For some, the answer is yes, nostalgia wins. For others, Rowling’s public image has permanently changed how they see the franchise.
Coltrane’s defense of Rowling cuts right to the middle of that debate. His loyalty might feel outdated in today’s cancel-culture era, but whether seen as integrity or insensitivity, his stance reminds us how blurred the line has become between the creator and their creation.
Do you think Coltrane was right to call out how fans treated Rowling? Share your thoughts in the comments!
All Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Peacock.
