Television ‘Please walk away from Harry Potter’: why the stars of HBO’s new TV show are in for decades of social media hell

[Rockhopper1]

Stuart Heritage has scribbled a ridiculous and slightly threatening article for the Guardian today under the above headline Such wilful misrepresentation of JK Rowling’s views after all this time can surely only be fuelled by misogyny?

Children have continued to read the books and watch the films though - they didn't stop just because the books aren't new any more. There are lots of primary school aged Harry Potter fans (even though arguably the series isn't really suitable for under 10s, especially the later books, but that's a different issue).

I didn't even know there was a new series planned, but just told my younger teens (who already knew) and was treated to a lesson on the merits and downsides of CGI and whether the use of this will enhance or detract from the series in comparison with the older films. Apparently qe have to hope everything won't be filmed in front of a blue screen (I thought the screens were green) and the scenery and special effects added afterwards.

No mention of politics or any issues but technical ones were made, but also no suggestion that this generation won't be interested in the new series. Anecdotal of course, but I am pretty sure interest in Harry Potter spans generations.

We went to look at platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross earlier this year and it was absolutely thronged with people, mostly between about 8 and 28 years old at a guess. We gave up and went across town to look at Paddington instead.

I have just a nose for what's going to flop in the world of film and TV. I might see what odds a bookmaker will give me for it not going beyond a third series.

That article won’t age well. Unlike the HP franchise…

I disagree.

I enjoyed the films but am really looking forward to the TV adaptation where they will have screen time to include plot lines and details the films were not able to.

A huge flop which everyone will watch just to say 'its not as good as the original'.

Even if a fraction of people do this, it'll be a success.

The appetite for Harry Potter suggests that it'll be fine as there's a new generation who will grow into it.

I do think the books will be much better suited to a TV adaptation than they were to film. I’m looking forward to the series a great deal and expect it to be real family viewing with my teenage DC

As for that mean spirited guardian article. Deary deary me

Maybe you will watch it because you loved it as a child and can overlook Rowling’s views (or support them). Maybe you won’t because you don’t want to financially aid Rowling,

or maybe you are totally unaware of her views on women’s rights or don’t give a shit and are just looking forward to a high production values adaptation of a rattling good story. Jesus Stuart, get your head in the real world. It’s just fucking TV man

Most of the really irate anti JKR voices give me the distinct impression that they have a lego hogwarts, Gryffindor robe and a Nimbus 2000 in their parents loft

I agree, they're so totally obsessed with her, they don't realise nobody else is, it all so life and death for them, they're living unhinged in cloud cuckooland most of the time.

How thoroughly petulant.

RECOGNISABLE FACES

Give it the ten years. Some things will be done with and forgotten, but it won't be Harry Potter.

It’s very strange that 30-40 year old adults still care about a kids book/ film.
has no one told them - its not being made for them!
it’s for the current crop of kids and it is globally popular. It will be a smash success.
no one cares what Stuart heritage might think or any of his peers.

It’s not an article so much as a piece of propaganda. What a load of shite!

This!

Call me an optimist, but I don't think this article is going to age well. Not in a year's time, but definitely not in 5 or 10 years.

And I think the series is going to be great, and will introduce a whole new generation to HP. The casting so far looks really good.

And I bet dickheads like Stuart will watch it in secret, while proclaiming sanctimoniously that they don't want to contribute to JK's wealth.

The vast majority of people agree with JK Rowling! It's only a screamingly vocal minority who hopefully will get smaller as they begin to grow up.

I don't pay for the Guardian any more because of shit articles like this. I'm sure I'm not alone.

He definitely has a lego hogwarts, Gryffindor robe and a Nimbus 2000 in the loft

I seem to remember fans on reddit talking about some sort of Harry Potter offsetting scheme whereby you atone for reading, watching and purchasing HP-related stuff by sending donations to 'trans charities'. Having your cake and eating it, in other words.

This is insane nonsense.

Social media has genuinely broken people. 🫠

Articles like that always remind me of Gachnar the fear demon (Lord of Nightmares, Bringer of terror) out of Buffy the Vampire Slayer who manifested terribly after a portentious introduction and turned out to be six inches tall.

He's terribly snotty about TV for someone who makes his living as a TV critic. Though actually, I've just remembered he now writes children's books too. No wonder he's bitter about JKR.

I love this thank you it’s perfect

I hope the Guardian's ferrets are equipped with good parking sensors on their backsides.