HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series is one of the most highly anticipated TV releases of recent years. However, the show remains in the spotlight ahead of its premiere.Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw has made it clear that she will not be involved in the Harry Potter series. The 39-year-old Canadian filmmaker took to Instagram to share a screenshot of text messages between herself and her agent. The messages revealed that she turned down the opportunity to direct the HBO series because she did not want to 'fund transphobia'.She wrote,"“It is simply this easy to say no to funding transphobia,” and added the opportunity was “for directing, not acting… obviously lol”.Pankiw's remarks come against the backdrop of long-running controversy surrounding Harry Potter writer and creator J.K Rowling's views on trans people. The author has been accused of being transphobic for her views on gender identity and for remarking that trans women should not be allowed in female-only spaces. Many, including Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, have criticized her stance. Rowling has fought back against the accusations and denied being transphobic.Here's more about it.Why did Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw turn down the HBO Harry Potter series? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostBlack Mirror director Ally Pankiw took to Instagram to share that she turned down the offer to direct the HBO Harry Potter series because she didn't want to 'fund homophobia'. Even though the director did not name anyone in the post, the comment hinted at J.K Rowling, who was accused of being transphobic. However, the author denied being transphobic, saying that she respects them and wants them to be free from abuse and discrimination.Rowling is also the executive producer of the HBO series along with Neil Blair, Heyday Films' David Heyman, and Brontë Film and TV's Ruth Kenley-Lett.Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw turned down the opportunity to direct the HBO series - Source: GettyPankiw shared a screenshot of text messages between her and her agent where the agent asked her why she turned down the series. The text message sent on April 21 read (as per the screenshots)“I have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask “Harry Potter? Hard no?”To which the I Used to Be director replied,"Absolutely fucking not! lol… (But thank you for asking)”The agent replied that they had assumed as much and agreed to her decision of turning down the series. Kate Herron, known for her directorial projects such as Loki, Five By Five and Margo's Got Money Troubles, revealed that she was approached twice but turned it down. The comment read,"Yeah thank you exactly! Respect and Love to you Ally. They've asked me twice but I've had tonezplain my answer is never gonna change from no. "Loki director Kate Herron turned down the opportunity to direct the Harry Potter series twice (Image Via Instagram/@allypankiew)The HBO series cast members, including John Lithgow, Papa Essiedu, Nick Frost and Bell Powley, have also disagreed with Rowling's stance. Lithgow, who is set to play Dumbledore in the upcoming series, said during the Rotterdam film festival that he finds Rowling's views on transgender rights 'ironic and somewhat inexplicable'. (via The Guardian). Frost, who will play the new Hagrid in the HBO series, told The Observer,"She’s (Rowling) allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine, they just don’t align in any way, shape or form.”The cast have been criticized for being part of the HBO series, with many turning off their social media comments.Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will release on December 25, 2026, on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max shortly after the premiere.Also Read: Harry Potter TV series is including a character that the movies ignored heavilyFollow SoapCentral for more such updates.