David Tennant, the Scottish actor best known for his role in Doctor Who, has addressed his ongoing support for the LGBT+ community in a recent appearance on the ITV1 show The Assembly. Tennant, who previously faced criticism from Harry Potter author JK Rowling for his stance on transgender rights, clarified that he holds no ill will toward her despite their differing opinions on the issue.
The actor, 54, made headlines when he publicly voiced support for transgender rights, drawing attention due to Rowling’s controversial comments regarding the inclusion of transgender women in spaces designated for biological women. Rowling, a vocal advocate for the recent UK Supreme Court ruling, argues that the term “woman” in the Equality Act should specifically refer to biological women, a stance that has sparked significant backlash.
Tennant, who portrayed the sinister Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, expressed his concern over the ongoing transgender rights debate during his emotional discussion on The Assembly. Reflecting on Section 28, the oppressive legislation introduced during Margaret Thatcher’s government, Tennant compared the vilification of the transgender community today to the historical discrimination faced by the LGBT+ community in the 1980s and 1990s.
“I think the way the trans community is being demonized and othered is exactly the same. It’s become a political football,” Tennant explained. He further recalled how Section 28, which forbade schools from “promoting homosexuality,” created a stifling and harmful environment for LGBT+ individuals, lasting from its introduction in 1988 until its repeal in 2003.
David Tennant emphasized that while he doesn’t agree with Rowling’s views on gender, he holds no animosity toward her, acknowledging her immense contribution to literature. “JK Rowling is a wonderful author who’s created brilliant stories, and I wish her no ill will,” Tennant said. “But I hope we can all, as a society, just let people be and get out of people’s way.”
Tennant’s comments come after Rowling shared a tweet in November 2024 offering her “thoughts and prayers” to Tennant following Kemi Badenoch’s election as leader of the Conservative Party. Badenoch, who shares similar views to Rowling on gender and single-sex spaces, has drawn attention for her vocal stance that protections for single-sex spaces are necessary to safeguard against potential abuse by individuals exploiting transgender rights.
While accepting an award at the British LGBT Awards in June 2024, Tennant expressed his frustration with Badenoch, stating that he wished she would “shut up.” He also addressed the ongoing tension surrounding his potential involvement in the new Harry Potter series, which is currently being developed by Warner Bros. Tennant hinted that his relationship with the franchise was likely over, remarking, “I’m told there’s an executive producer who doesn’t love me on that show.”
JK Rowling has previously criticized the lead stars of the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, for their public support of transgender rights. In March 2024, when asked about actors who ruin movies for her, Rowling responded, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” in what many interpreted as a dig at the Harry Potter cast.
As the debate continues to divide public figures, including notable celebrities like The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal, who referred to Rowling as a “heinous loser” following the Supreme Court ruling, Tennant remains steadfast in his support for transgender rights while calling for more unity and understanding in society.
Tennant’s emotional discussion also included personal revelations, including the meaning behind the tattoo of his wife’s initials on his wrist, which he got for her 40th birthday. His full episode of The Assembly will air on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 10 pm on ITV1.
