News | Entertainment
26 Feb 2026 2:44
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Brian Cox has defended JK Rowling from accusations that she made anti-trans comments

    The 'Succession' actor has thrown his support behind the 'Harry Potter' author, who sparked controversy on Twitter earlier this year by implying that only women menstruate in response to an article


    Brian admitted that he asked his son what had happened as he'd been away when Rowling made her comments.

    The 74-year-old actor explained: "I kept saying, 'So what happened?'. He said, 'Well, she believes women menstruate.

    "That's what they do, don't they?' He said, 'Well, people don't like that,' and you go, 'Oh for Christ's sake!"

    Rowling's Tweets were considered to be transphobic and were criticised by 'Harry Potter' stars and fan sites and Brian admits that he hates cancel culture.

    He told Reader's Digest magazine: "Call something what it is, as opposed to something you think it should be. And it is - it's the cancel culture. I keep well away from it."

    Rowling sparked the backlash in June by taking aim at a headline, which read: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate."

    The author wrote: "'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

    She was recently defended by 'Harry Potter' actor Robbie Coltrane who revealed that he didn't think her comments were "offensive".

    The 70-year-old star - who played Rubeus Hagrid in the film series - said: "I don't think what she said was offensive really.

    "I don't know why but there's a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended. They wouldn't have won the war, would they?

    "That's me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, 'Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight and carry on.'"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     25 Feb: Matthew Lillard admits his fashion sense is "still stuck in 2000"
     25 Feb: Bonnie Blue is pregnant following her recent "breeding mission"
     25 Feb: Dennis Quaid thinks Donald Trump is "very funny" and "really genuine"
     25 Feb: Daniel Radcliffe admits it feels "surreal" seeing the new child stars stepping into the Harry Potter franchise
     25 Feb: Matthew Lillard was convinced he'd never work again during his "darkest days"
     25 Feb: The BBC has apologised for a racial slur shouted during the 2026 BAFTAs ceremony
     25 Feb: David Harbour was part of Millie Bobby Brown's birthday celebrations
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Wallace Sititi is back for the Chiefs for their Super Rugby final rematch against the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Meridian says mother nature has come to party and helped turn their finances around More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Fruitfly trapping's back-up and running in Auckland, after an Oriental fruitfly was found in Papatoetoe 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Matthew Lillard admits his fashion sense is "still stuck in 2000" 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Bonnie Blue is pregnant following her recent "breeding mission" 21:21

    Environment:
    A large grass fire in Central Otago's Springvale's been contained 21:17

    International:
    President Donald Trump's State of the Union adress in detail 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Dennis Quaid thinks Donald Trump is "very funny" and "really genuine" 20:51

    International:
    Standout moments from Donald Trump's State of the Union speech 20:37

    Entertainment:
    Daniel Radcliffe admits it feels "surreal" seeing the new child stars stepping into the Harry Potter franchise 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Matthew Lillard was convinced he'd never work again during his "darkest days" 19:51

    Entertainment:
    The BBC has apologised for a racial slur shouted during the 2026 BAFTAs ceremony 19:21


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd