BBC to make documentary on JK Rowling without her involvement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 13:33 · Archive

The BBC is making a two-part documentary about JK Rowling exploring how she became a polarising public figure, without her input.

The BBC has announced a two-part documentary series about JK Rowling that will explore her life as 'a lens through which to explore three decades of profound social, political and technological change'. A BBC representative said the author was not involved in making the documentary when approached about the project.

Both hour-long episodes will draw on archive material and 'Rowling's own words' alongside interviews with people she has worked with. The first episode will chart her path from a bookish childhood and time spent writing in Edinburgh cafés to her unprecedented literary success with the Harry Potter novels and their impact on readers.

The second episode will follow Rowling as she 'steps out from behind her creation' and becomes an 'increasingly powerful political voice'. The BBC synopsis notes she is 'admired by supporters as a fearless defender of women's rights and condemned by critics who call her an opponent of trans equality' and that she finds herself 'divided from some of the actors and fans who once championed her work'. The documentary will explore her positions on issues including Scottish independence, feminism, free speech and gender identity.

Simon Young, head of commissioning for BBC History, said the documentary would be timely given it is thirty years since the publication of the first Harry Potter book. The series is being produced by Rogan Scotland.

How it is being reported

• BBC Sparks Backlash After Announcing New JK Rowling DocumentaryThe announcement of a new BBC documentary about JK Rowling has already been met with an impassioned response. 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…HuffPost UK · 14 Oct, 13:15
• BBC 'is making a JK Rowling documentary on how she became a polarising public figure'... 'without her input'The Harry Potter author, 61, has inspired the new two-part series which uses her life 'as a lens through which to explore three decades of profound social, political and technological change'.Daily Mail · 13 Oct, 19:54

In this story: JK Rowling · BBC · Edinburgh · Harry Potter · Britain

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