Actor John Lithgow defends joining 'Harry Potter' series despite JK Rowling's trans backlash

Actor John Lithgow defended his role in the upcoming HBO series based on J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter" books despite backlash over the author’s views on transgender issues.

The 80-year-old actor was asked about the controversy surrounding his decision to play the character Albus Dumbledore amid criticism of Rowling's outspoken opposition to transgender ideology and her defense of women-only spaces.

Lithgow insisted that he took the criticism "extremely seriously" and described Rowling's...