Good article.
I thought it was a bit petty how people criticised DR for his acting abilities and I wrote a slight defense of him. Basically he was a child actor and we know how challenging it must be to truly understand what life is like for other non-celeb people when you have lived your formative life in the spotlight, haven't attended school normally etc... He doesn't have to agree with all the views of a writer who created a character he got famous for recreating on screen. Not compulsory at all. I'll concede and use the word 'churlish' 😊
It wouldn't surprise me if JKR had said to MN, lay off DR. It's not doing anyone any favours. I was interested to read the following phrase being used to heap praise on DR for his trans supportive comments 'we Stan a short King'. I read it on the Twitter of a quite high-profile, young trans man yesterday. It's used to big-up a man who is short in stature but outshines and ignores the oft perceived 'limitations' of their height. There's a lot of 'stan-ing' of 'short kings' amongst trans men.
It's no big surprise is it that the likes of DR and EW have the views they do. I can't imagine what it would have been like seeing myself 'grow up' on screen. Every awkward change of puberty captured for all eternity - maybe they identify with those who wish to transition because they themselves had their transition from children to adults publicly broadcast for all to see. And acting is all about 'inhabiting' another character and bringing it to life. I just don't think they see beyond the furore to the actual substance of what JKR said. Maybe they will one day.