Harry Potter and the Cursed Child star Rakie Ayola has told Newsweek that she would love to sit down with J.K. Rowling to discuss her controversial statements about transgender people—but she doesn't think the author cares what she thinks.Ayola is an award-winning Welsh actor known for her work in theater and television, including the BBC drama Anthony and the series The Pact.
She now stars in the Netflix series Kaos, a modern-day retelling of Greek mythology that blends humor and drama. Ayola plays Persephone, queen of the underworld, opposite David Thewlis, who plays her husband, Hades.
Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus and Janet McTeer plays Hera.In 2017, the 56-year-old took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and has met Rowling once before. The author has gained notoriety in more recent years for expressing her contentious opinions on transgender people, which some LGBTQ+ activists have labeled as "transphobic," a term Rowling has always refuted.Ayola expressed confusion over why the topic of transgender people seems to take up so much of Rowling's time.A spokesperson for Rowling declined to comment when approached for comment by Newsweek via email on Friday."I'm not naïve enough that I don't recognize the conversation, of course, I recognize it, how could I not? But I'm just really curious to know why I personally don't feel like I hear from her unless it's to talk about trans people and their rights or not," Ayola told Newsweek."I sort of—so that's why I'm curious I just, I don't understand what's concerning her the rest of the time, is this the only thing? I, of course, recognize women have fought very, very hard for the rights that we have and the fear that they will be taken away is very real.
I'm not naïve enough not to recognize that. But I just sometimes think, people are just trying to live their lives.
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