A theatrical production critiquing J.K. Rowling’s views on gender is facing challenges in casting female roles, as reported by The Telegraph. Barry Church-Woods, the creative producer, expressed his concerns about the difficulties encountered in assembling a female cast. “This project has met some kind of resistance every step of the way, though I’ve been generally surprised by how difficult it has been for us to recruit the female cast in particular,” he told the publication. Despite offering industry-standard compensation and having a strong script, the production has not been successful in attracting actresses for these roles.

Originally titled “TERF [trans exclusionary radical feminist] C—,” the play, now simply called “TERF,” dramatizes a fictional intervention for Rowling by Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe, who were prominent in the “Harry Potter” film series. According to The Telegraph, 90 actresses have declined roles, while casting for male roles, including those of Grint and Radcliffe, has been completed.

The reluctance among actresses to participate may stem from ideological differences or concerns about potential backlash, as speculated by The Telegraph.

The play’s backdrop includes the ongoing public discourse surrounding Rowling, who has been a vocal advocate for biological women’s rights and single-sex spaces. This stance has sparked responses from various quarters, including actors from the “Harry Potter” series. Emma Watson, for instance, has publicly supported the transgender community, stating on X, “Trans people are who they say they are.” She has also expressed solidarity with her trans followers, emphasizing respect and love for their identities.

Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint have also voiced their support for the transgender community. Radcliffe penned an essay for The Trevor Project, apologizing for any hurt caused by Rowling’s remarks, as reported by The Independent. Grint, in a statement to Fox News, affirmed his support, declaring, “Trans women are women. Trans men are men.”

The play is penned by Joshua Kaplan, a queer-identifying Hollywood scriptwriter, adding another layer of context to the ongoing debate and the themes explored in the production.