"The Last of Us" star Pedro Pascal has leveled severe criticism at author J.K. Rowling, accusing her of exhibiting "heinous loser behavior" in a celebratory post following a UK court ruling that declined to recognize transgender women as women. Pascal unleashed his scathing remarks in the comments section of an Instagram video calling for a comprehensive boycott of Rowling's beloved "Harry Potter" franchise.
The activist Tariq Raouf, who posted the video last week, lambasted Rowling for her apparent glee over the UK Supreme Court's decision this month that the Equality Act defines women as those born biologically female. Rowling responded by posting a picture of herself on Instagram with a drink and cigar in hand, captioning it, "I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights."
The Scottish author has been an outspoken advocate for her views on transgender women and their rights in recent years, engaging in heated debates on her social media platforms with those who disagree. Raouf portrayed Rowling as a "villain" and exhorted the public to withdraw their support from the "Harry Potter" franchise, encompassing the books, an upcoming television reboot, and visits to the "Harry Potter" theme park at Universal Orlando Resort (owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News).
Among the prominent comments on Raouf's post was one from Pascal's verified Instagram account, which boasts nearly 10 million followers. Pascal denounced Rowling's behavior as "heinous," "awful," and "disgusting." Representatives for Pascal did not promptly respond to requests for comment, while a representative for Rowling declined to comment on the actor's remarks.
At the premiere of Marvel's "Thunderbolts" in London on Tuesday, Pascal doubled down on his support for the transgender community. He wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Protect the Dolls," a term of endearment for transgender women within the LGBTQ community. Designed by Connor Ives, the shirt's proceeds benefit Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit community group and crisis hotline.
Pascal is a vocal champion of the transgender community and has openly spoken about his transgender sister, Lux Pascal, with deep affection. Lux Pascal came out publicly in 2021 and granted an interview to the Chilean magazine Ya. Her brother posted the magazine cover to Instagram, captioning it, "Mi hermana, mi corazón, nuestra Lux" ("My sister, my heart, our Lux"). In the interview, she credited her older brother for his unwavering support. "He has been an important part of this," she said. "He is also an artist and has been a guide. He was one of the first people who gave me the tools to form my identity."
