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Celebrity Traitors star faces backlash over Harry Potter game role

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:01 · Archive

Sebastian Croft, an openly queer actor now on The Celebrity Traitors, faced criticism for voicing a character in the 2023 video game Hogwarts Legacy, given author J.K. Rowling's controversial views.

Sebastian Croft, an actor on The Celebrity Traitors, faced criticism for his involvement in the video game Hogwarts Legacy, released in 2023. Croft, who is openly queer, voiced the main playable character, sparking backlash particularly from the trans community. This was prompted by J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter universe on which the game is based, facing accusations of transphobia.

Croft responded to the backlash by emphasising that he was cast in the project over three years ago, when he was simply growing up with Harry Potter as a magical world and before he was aware of Rowling's views. He stated: 'I believe wholeheartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men. I know far more now than I did 3 years ago, and hope to learn far more in the next 3. I'm really sorry to anyone hurt by this announcement.'

Despite his apology, reactions were mixed, with Croft receiving criticism from both those who support gender-critical views and from the trans community. His involvement sparked wider debate about whether it is possible to separate art from the artist, with some pointing out that Rowling, as creator of the Harry Potter universe, still made millions from the project.

Celebrity Traitors star faces backlash over Harry Potter game role
Image: Oxford Mail

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In this story: Sebastian Croft · J.K. Rowling · The Celebrity Traitors · Hogwarts Legacy

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