From sending chills down the spine with her performance as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter franchise to stirring up considerable debate with her outspoken views on high-profile controversies, Helena Bonham Carter has stunned millions of fans. According to reports, defending Johnny Depp following his defamation lawsuit, Carter was hailed by netizens.
Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films | Image: Warner Bros.
However, as the actress defended J.K. Rowling on her remarks against trans rights and the transgender community, Helena Bonham Carter attracted a significant hate from people. But then things took a deadly turn as the actress threw shade on Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in her attempt to defend Rowling.
The Harry Potter Star Openly Defended Johnny Depp and J.K Rowling
Popularly known for her impeccable performance in films like Alice in Wonderland, and Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter has been vocal about her hatred for cancel culture. Addressing how baseless it is for netizens to disqualify people for their personal lives and opinions, Carter expressed her frustration with The Times.
Do you ban a genius for their s*xual practices? There would be millions of people who if you looked closely enough at their personal life you would disqualify them. You can’t ban people. I hate cancel culture. It has become quite hysterical and there’s a kind of witch hunt and a lack of understanding.
Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd | image: Warner Bros.
Proceeding further with her comments, Helena Bonham Carter spoke about her long-time friend Johnny Depp who suffered similar disqualifications following his high-profile lawsuit against Amber Heard. Addressing the notorious trial, Carter emphasized the hardships Depp faced and lamented the impact of the controversy on his career.
I think he’s fine now. Totally fine… My view is that [Amber Heard] got on that pendulum. That’s the problem with these things – that people will jump on the bandwagon because it’s the trend and to be the poster girl for it.
Well, not just Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter seemed to take her stand for even the Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, following her controversial remarks about trans rights and transgender community.
J.K. Rowling in an interview with BBC
It’s horrendous, a load of bollocks. I think she has been hounded. It’s been taken to the extreme, the judgmentalism of people. She’s allowed her opinion, particularly if she’s suffered abuse. Everybody carries their own history of trauma and forms their opinions from that trauma and you have to respect where people come from and their pain.
You don’t all have to agree on everything – that would be insane and boring. She’s not meaning it aggressively, she’s just saying something out of her own experience.
Helena Bonham Carter argued that J.K. Rowling has been unfairly targeted and that her opinions, shaped by personal trauma, should be respected. She further suggested that disagreement is natural and that Rowling’s views should be understood in the context of her experiences.
Helena Bonham Carter Faced Backlash for Slamming Emma Watson
Following Helena Bonham Carter’s support for Johnny Depp, although the actress won hearts, the Harry Potter star significantly lost votes when she defended J.K. Rowling’s remarks. But more than anything, Carter sparked waves of controversies and criticism when she threw shade at Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, in her attempt to support Rowling.
Radcliffe and Watson had criticized Rowling for her brutal remarks on trans issues. Speaking with The Atlantic Radcliffe told that he was “really sad” over how the Harry Potter author had embraced that perspective. Meanwhile, Emma Watson repeatedly posted tweets throwing shade at Rowling and made a dig at the Harry Potter author at the 2022 BAFTAs.
Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter films | image: Warner Bros.
Thereafter considering these remarks, Carter claimed that the actors were within their rights to criticize Rowling, but then she added a hint of shade. Carter’s comments seemed to downplay the right of the Harry Potter stars to voice their opinions, suggesting that their idea of Rowling was driven by a desire to cater to their fan base and generation.
Personally I feel they should let her have her opinions, but I think they’re very aware of protecting their own fan base and their generation.
Trans people aren’t a generational thing, Helena.
— 🔮 (@mccndoll) November 28, 2022
trans rights aren’t opinions helena you’re just ignorant 🤭❤️ https://t.co/xb7bXyjGdf
— 🇵🇸 (@adoredarcher) November 28, 2022
She needs to stop talking. Because what is this? 💀 https://t.co/3WfhGFHYCm
— 🌙 (@umitsjami) November 28, 2022
it's always the old ladies with the transphobic takes lol
— Louise 🏳️⚧️ (@LouiseJeezz) November 28, 2022
You can’t spread constant hate towards a group of people and call it “opinion”.
— Emre. (@EmreAkn) November 28, 2022
The controversy highlighted the tension between differing generations and perspectives within the Harry Potter franchise. While the young stars became vocal about their support for the LGBTQ+ community and distanced themselves from Rowling’s views, Carter’s remarks suggested a rift between the older and younger members of the franchise’s cast.
