Author J.K Rowling has issued a pointed response to Emma Watson following recent comments made by the actress regarding their strained relationship and differing views on gender identity.

Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, spoke in a recent interview about her continued affection for Rowling despite their public disagreements.

“There’s just no world in which I could ever cancel her out”, Watson said, referring to the author’s controversial stance on gender and women’s rights. She added that while their views diverge, she hopes mutual love and respect can still exist.

Rowling, however, appeared less conciliatory in a lengthy post shared Monday on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The author criticised Watson’s public comments and suggested they contributed to a hostile environment at a time when Rowling was facing serious personal threats.

“Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is”, Rowling wrote.

The dispute traces back to 2020, when Rowling’s remarks about gender identity and biological sex sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and several Harry Potter stars, including Watson and Daniel Radcliffe.

While Rowling has repeatedly denied accusations of transphobia, she has expressed concern about the impact of gender identity activism on women’s rights and single sex spaces.

In her post, Rowling said her feelings toward Watson changed significantly after a moment at the 2022 BAFTA Awards. At the event, host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson with a joke referencing witches, to which Watson responded: “I’m here for all of the wiches”.

The line was widely interpreted as a subtle criticism of Rowling and an expression of support for the trans community.

Rowling said what followed was even more hurtful: a brief note from Watson stating, “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through”, instead of a more personal outreach. “This was back when the death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak… Emma has just publicly poured more petrol on the flames”, Rowling wrote.

The author also suggested that Watson’s priviledged background distanced her from the realities many women face, especially those impacted by policies related to single-sex spaces. “I wasn’t a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous”, Rowling said.

She questioned Watson’s recent softer tone, implying it may reflect a shift in public sentiment rather than personal reflection. “Emma is rightly free to disagree with me… but I have the same right and I’ve finally decided to exercise it”.

Watson has not responded publicly to Rowling’s remarks. However, in her earlier interview, she expressed continued appreciation for Rowling’s influence on her life and career.

“It’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with”, she said.