"Separating art from an artist is messy business precisely because there's no uniform answer to any of these questions, which are all so heavily intertwined with topics like cancel culture, ethical consumption and the growing trend of trial by social media," Ashlie D. Stevens says of Rowling's transphobia controversy in connection with plans to reboot Harry Potter as a TV series. "Emerging from the quagmire is the concept of problematic faves; it's a phrase used to denote beloved cultural touchstones that have become sullied, either because of issues within a piece or the people who brought it to life." Stevens adds: "Therefore, the creators of a new series have a number of considerations to keep in mind to create a show that feels right for contemporary viewers. It raises some questions, too. Can the wizarding world be adapted to be more reflective of Harry Potter fans? Due to the proposed series' proximity to Rowling, is this a situation in which art can be separated from artist? Or is it preemptively doomed to become, for some, a problematic fave?" ALSO: Why Rowling doesn't deserve the platform of a Harry Potter series.
TOPICS: J. K. Rowling, HBO Max, Untitled Harry Potter TV Series, Harry Potter