Hasbro CEO defends Harry Potter toys amid JK Rowling’s transphobia

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks appeared on the podcast “Decoder”. and was asked about his company recent agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, billed as a multi-year partnership to bring the “Harry Potter” universe to life through licensed toys and games, while WBD-owned network HBO reboots the franchise with a new TV series. The deal was met with some resistance, with podcast host Nilay Patel telling Cocks that “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling “has very loud policies that turn off a lot of younger consumers. Her transphobia turns off a lot of young consumers.”

“How do you make this decision when the creator of the property is actively diminishing the fandom and hurting many people in that fandom?” Patel then asked.

“To me it means separating the art from the artist and going for what the core fans want,” Cocks replied. “I won’t get into the politics surrounding it, other than to say that we very strongly support diversity and inclusion within Hasbro. We are proud and proud of the diversity of viewpoints and backgrounds we have in our workforce. ‘Harry Potter’ is a beautiful franchise. It has done a great job of bringing joy to the world.”

The Hasbro-Warner Bros. Discovery deal was announced in February, touting a new line of “Harry Potter” franchise “dolls, role-play, action figures and collectibles, interactive plush, board games and more” tied to the reboot of the HBO series. The products will be “revealed later this year.”

“The world of Harry Potter and its unforgettable characters align perfectly with our mission to provide generations of fans with a lifetime of fun,” said Tim Kilpin, President of Toys, Games, Licensing and Entertainment at Hasbro. “As longtime fans, we are honored to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products as the official Global Master Toy licensee.”

“Our new agreement with Hasbro comes as the world of Harry Potter celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first film and continues to expand its magical legacy – powered by one of the most passionate and enduring fan communities in entertainment history,” said Robert Oberschelp, president of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. “Our partnership with Hasbro will deliver fresh, innovative toys, collectibles and games inspired by the beloved Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films and the new HBO Original TV series.”

HBO’s Harry Potter series will debut in 2027.