'Heartstopper' actor addresses backlash over 'Harry Potter' game role: I was cast 'before I was aware of JK Rowling's views'

• "Heartstopper" fans criticized actor Sebastian Croft over his involvement in "Hogwarts Legacy."

• The cast for the video game was announced last week and includes Croft and Simon Pegg.

• Croft tweeted that he wasn't aware of JK Rowling's views when he first joined the cast.

"Heartstopper" actor Sebastian Croft said he was unaware of JK Rowling's controversial views about the transgender community when he was cast in the new video game "Hogwarts Legacy."

Last week, the Twitter account for the "Harry Potter" spinoff video game, which is released on certain platforms in February, announced that Croft will provide the voice of one of the game's characters. Other cast members include Simon Pegg and "Downton Abbey" actor Lesley Nicol.

Many fans on social media criticized Croft's involvement due to his role as Ben Hope in Netflix's hit LGBTQ+ series, in which he stars alongside trans actors.

In the last few years, Rowling has faced criticism over her history of offensive comments about the transgender community.

In response to the backlash, Croft tweeted on Saturday that he was unaware of Rowling's views when he joined the project.

"I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with," he wrote. "This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling's views. I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men."

Croft added in a follow-up tweet: "I know far more now than I did 3 years ago, and hope to learn far more in the next 3. I'm really sorry to anyone hurt by this announcement. There is no LGB without the T."

While Rowling isn't directly involved with the game, some fans have denounced the game because they believe the author may still receive royalties from it.

According to an FAQ on the game's website: "J.K. Rowling is not involved in the creation of the game, but as creator of the wizarding world and one of the world's greatest storytellers, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World.

"This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling, however, we have collaborated closely with her team on all aspects of the game to ensure it remains in line with the magical experiences fans expect."

Read the original article on Insider