News | Entertainment
12 Feb 2026 21:58
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
     12 Feb: Jake Paul claims his criticism of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show was "misinterpreted"
     12 Feb: Teddi Mellencamp has encouraged her social media followers to "get checked" for cancer
     12 Feb: Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes "still love each other" despite their break-up
     12 Feb: Catherine O'Hara died after suffering from a pulmonary embolism
     12 Feb: Steven Spielberg is convinced "there is life off this planet"
     12 Feb: King Charles is profoundly concerned by allegations relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's "conduct"
     12 Feb: Sherri Shepherd isn't prepared to "throw in the towel" on her TV talk show
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Antonio Shalfoon's determined to take another step up as the Crusaders senior lock - ahead of tomorrow's Super Rugby season opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Some acceleration in rental activity's kick-starting the year - after a subdued 2025 More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Jake Paul claims his criticism of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show was "misinterpreted" 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Teddi Mellencamp has encouraged her social media followers to "get checked" for cancer 21:21

    Law and Order:
    A Christchurch man's due in court - accused of dragging drivers from their cars in a string of attempted vehicle thefts 21:17

    International:
    Chocolate recipes to share some love with the people in your life 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes "still love each other" despite their break-up 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Catherine O'Hara died after suffering from a pulmonary embolism 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Steven Spielberg is convinced "there is life off this planet" 19:51

    Entertainment:
    King Charles is profoundly concerned by allegations relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's "conduct" 19:21

    Business:
    Some acceleration in rental activity's kick-starting the year - after a subdued 2025 18:57

    International:
    James Van Der Beek was synonymous with his character. How he embraced it with humour will be his legacy 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd