Strike’s Holliday Grainger discusses JK Rowling trans controversy: ‘No one can pretend to understand someone else’s experience’

Actor stars in TV adaptation of JK Rowling’s ‘Strike’ novels

Strike star Holliday Grainger has stressed the importance of “listening” in relation to JK Rowling’s controversial views on transgender poeple.

The actor stars as Robin Ellacott in the BBC series, which is based on the crime novels published by Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Grainger said that Rowling was a “lovely” person who had had a “massive influence” on her career.

However, discussing the author’s trans views, Grainger said: “I think no one can pretend to be in a position to understand someone else’s experience.

“The only way you can do that is by listening, and by giving people the space to air their own opinions.”

Holliday Grainger (left) and JK Rowling (Getty Images)

Grainger explained that she chose not to use social media because she does not believe it allows for in-depth discussions, commenting: “The soundbites of opinions, it’s not always the deepest, most nuanced conversation.”

Rowling is a vocal critic of transgender people being able to self-identify, but has denied all accusations of transphobia.

Despite this, a number of stars of the Harry Potter film franchise have distanced themselves from the author, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.