J.K. Rowling has received support from Warner Bros., following the event that an external PR, speaking on behalf of the studio, shared in an interview with Sky News that the author isn’t “affiliated” with the company.
After a dispute between Sky News and the PR, which prevented the outlet from questioning Harry Potter actor Tom Felton about Rowling during a press conference in London the week before, the studio replied.
The studio issued the response following a spat between Sky News and the PR, who blocked the outlet from asking Harry Potter actor Tom Felton about Rowling during a press event in London last week.
Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the franchise, was participating in a celebration for the expansion of the Harry Potter exhibit at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The Harry Potter actor revealed Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse, a beloved set from the movies that will be a permanent addition to the park.
Rowling, who has drawn criticism for remarks concerning the trans community and who was conspicuously absent from “Return to Hogwarts,” the HBO Max documentary special commemorating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter, was brought up in an interview with Felton by a Sky News reporter.
“You and the other stars of the film are still very much the face of the franchise, if you like. We speak to you and hear from you guys… J.K. obviously has sort of more of a back seat now. Is it strange for her not being around at things like this?”
“Next question, please,” said a non-Warner Bros. employee who was employed as an external PR executive for the occasion.
When Sky News later questioned the third-party PR the reason their journalist was interrupted, the outlet was sent an email that reads: “J.K. Rowling is not connected to Warner or Tom Felton, the team felt it was not relevant to the piece.”
Warner Bros. defended its long-established partnership with Rowling in a statement given to Variety.
“Warner Bros. has enjoyed a creative, productive and fulfilling partnership with J.K. Rowling for the past 20 years. She is one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers, and we are proud to be the studio to bring her vision, characters and stories to life now — and for decades to come. On Monday, a statement was issued by a third-party media agency that appeared contrary to this view. The statement was wholly wrong, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London regrets it happened as part of a media event that day.”
The greenhouse expansion composed the new exhibit called “Mandrakes and Magical Creatures” that launches on July 1 at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and runs through September 12.
