BBC Sparks Backlash After Announcing New JK Rowling Documentary

On Tuesday, it was announced that a two-part series about the Harry Potter author would be coming to the broadcaster, exploring her as both a “global phenomenon” and “one of Britain’s most polarising public figures”.

A BBC press release explained that the first half of the documentary would “chart Rowling’s path from a bookish childhood and time spent writing in Edinburgh cafés to unprecedented literary success” with the Harry Potter novels, and their impact on readers.

The second part would then focus on her rise to becoming an “increasingly powerful political voice” in the “intensifying culture wars” with regard to issues like “Scottish independence, feminism, free speech and gender identity”.

JK Rowling pictured in 2018via Associated Press“Admired by supporters as a fearless defender of women’s rights and condemned by critics who call her an opponent of trans equality, she finds herself divided from some of the actors and fans who once championed her work,” the synopsis noted.

Rowling has become an increasingly divisive figure due to her stance on issues relating to the transgender community.

This has included misgendering transgender public figures, as well as donating tens of thousands of pounds to the campaign group which raised the initial legal challenge that led to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman should include only those assigned female at birth.

When this ruling was made, the author then shared a celebratory social media post depicting herself smoking cigar and declaring: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

The news of the BBC airing a documentary about Rowling has sparked a backlash from some viewers, particularly in light of the fact that LGTBQ+-centric shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl had been axed by the corporation due to funding issues in recent history.

It also came days after the BBC censored a pro-trans message on the t-shirt of a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

BBC cancelling Drag Race, cancelling I kissed a boy/girl, censoring trans supportive messages and then making a whole docuseries about the person who has made life for trans people hell in the UK is certainly very telling @bbcpress @BBC https://t.co/CJB2dekkte

– cancelled drag race- blurred out a trans ally t shirt – new doc on JK Rowling Why exactly should LGBTQ+ people pay the licence fee? @BBC https://t.co/Cflr5a4Lnq

A BBC spokesperson previously stated that “funding challenges” were the reason I Kissed A Girl and I Kissed A Boy were cancelled.

Regarding Drag Race UK no longer being aired, the broadcaster said: “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly.”

Drag Race UK has a new home on the streaming service Wow Presents Plus, which will begin with the British series’ inaugural All Stars run.

As for the censored item of clothing on Strictly Come Dancing, a spokesperson explained: “As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question.”