Harry Potter star Emma Watson ‘takes a swipe at JK Rowling’ in BAFTAs speech after trans row

HARRY Potter star Emma Watson “took a swipe at JK Rowling” last night in her BAFTA speech following the writer’s trans row.

The actress – best known for her role as Hermione Grainger – took to the stage to present the Outstanding British Film award last night.

Emma, 31, was introduced to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall by host Rebel Wilson to present the gong on Sunday evening.

The star – who had a starring role in the films adapted from writer JK Rowling‘s novels of the same name – hit out during her speech.

Rebel, 42, introduced her: “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.”

Walking on stage, Emma joked back: “I’m here for ALL the witches.”

Viewers at home couldn’t help but notice that the comment could have been a sly jibe at the Harry Potter creator.

Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “I’m here for all the women. Sly little dig at JK Rowling there, Emma Watson?”

A second added: “Live for Emma Watson throwing subtle shade at JK Rowling at the BAFTAs.”

While a third said: “Jibe by Emma Watson at JK Rowling. What a QUEEN.”

It came after Rebel took aim at JK herself earlier in the evening, as she joked about her recent weight loss.

Showing a photograph of herself from 2020 on screen, she joked: “That was me two years ago and since then I’ve done quite a transformation, I hope JK Rowling still approves.”

The comments come after JK, 56, was branded transphobic by some fans after she made comments on transgender issues.

The writer tweeted about the meaning of biological sex, which led to backlash and “cancellation” from the trans community.

She later clarified she respected transgender people’s rights “to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them”.

JK said she would march “if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans” as she defended her position.

“At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female,” she wrote. “I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”

BACKLASH

In the wake of the remarks, Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma and Eddie Redmayne all lashed out at the author.

Emma was one of the first to respond to the comments on Twitter, writing: “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”

Last week, JK hit out at Labour leader Kier Starmer – saying he could “no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights”.

The Labour leader had said “trans women are women” and called for a more “respectful” debate on transgender issues.

But the Harry Potter author said he had misrepresented the law.

She tweeted: “Women are scared, outraged and angry at the deaf ear turned to their well-founded concerns. But women are organising.

“Now @Keir_Starmer publicly misrepresents equalities law, in yet another indication that @LabourUK can no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights.” 

She shared a link to the story of Tory police and crime commissioner Lisa Townsend who has been reprimanded for sharing a Ms Rowling tweet in support of women’s rights.