J.K. Rowling Calls Emma Watson “Ignorant” After Watson’s Podcast Remarks — What Happened

J.K. Rowling reignited a long-running public rift with Emma Watson this week, posting a sharply worded response on her X account after Watson discussed their strained relationship on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast. Rowling’s post — which included the line that Watson is “ignorant of how ignorant she is” — renewed debate over the decades-old association between the author and the actors from the Harry Potter films and the deeper dispute over views on transgender rights.

What Rowling Posted and Where

Rowling’s response, posted on X on Sept. 29, criticized Watson for publicly disagreeing with her views on sex and gender while also expressing appreciation for the author’s earlier support. In the post, Rowling referenced a note she said Watson sent during a prior period of intense public harassment and wrote that Watson — whom she described as having lived a life “cushioned by wealth and fame” — was “ignorant of how ignorant she is.” Rowling framed her message as a rebuttal to what she called public condemnations by Watson and other former cast members.

I’m seeing quite a bit of comment about this, so I want to make a couple of points.

I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should… https://t.co/c0pz19P7jc

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 29, 2025

What Watson Actually Said on the Podcast

On Jay Shetty’s podcast, Watson spoke about her life and public role, and when asked about Rowling she said she could not “cancel” the author despite disagreeing with her positions on transgender issues. Watson emphasized compassion and dialogue, describing a complicated relationship that includes gratitude for opportunities and shared history alongside clear differences on political and social matters. She said she still “treasures” parts of her past with Rowling even as she supports trans rights.

Background: The Wider Dispute

The exchange is the latest episode in a dispute that dates back to 2020, when Rowling published posts expressing concerns about aspects of gender-identity activism. Those remarks drew widespread criticism and prompted public statements of support for transgender people from several Harry Potter actors, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who said at the time they supported the rights and dignity of trans people. The disagreement has since resurfaced periodically as each side reiterates its position.

Key Specifics Rowling Mentioned

In her post, Rowling singled out a moment she described as a turning point: a comment Watson made at the 2022 BAFTAs (which Rowling interpreted as a public distancing) and the privately sent note Watson later asked a third party to deliver. Rowling said that private outreach felt inadequate given the scale of threats and harassment she says accompanied the controversy over her views. Media reports confirmed Rowling’s account of that note, while noting Watson and her representatives had not issued an immediate response to Rowling’s latest post.

Reactions and Stakes

News organizations and cultural commentators have framed the exchange as both a personal dispute and a reflection of broader cultural conflicts over free speech, safety, and the rights of transgender people. Some commentators emphasize the difficulties public figures face balancing personal loyalties and political convictions; others focus on the harm that trans people say results from public rhetoric questioning their identity. Public reaction remains divided, with some supporting Watson’s emphasis on inclusion and others endorsing Rowling’s insistence on discussing women’s rights and safety.

What Both Sides Have Said Publicly (So Far)

• Rowling: posted a lengthy reply on X that included the phrase accusing Watson of ignorance and referenced private correspondence and past incidents she said left her feeling betrayed.

• Watson: in the On Purpose interview, stressed compassion, dialogue, and gratitude for shared history; she told the podcast audience she could not “cancel” Rowling while maintaining her own support for transgender rights. Watson’s comments were made in a wide-ranging interview and were not primarily about the dispute.

Looking Ahead

The exchange is likely to remain in public view as commentators, advocates, and fans parse what the latest posts and interviews mean for the legacies of the Harry Potter franchise and for the ongoing debate around gender identity. Both Rowling and Watson remain high-profile figures whose statements continue to prompt widespread coverage and discussion.