Nicola Coughlan Eviscerates Rowling Over Anti-Trans Ruling Support
Brace yourselves—I’ve downed four espressos and this latest celeb showdown is off the charts! Nicola Coughlan, your Bridgerton sweetheart, just went full-on fireworks mode against J.K. Rowling after the author cheered a U.K. Supreme Court decision ruling that trans women aren’t legally women. On April 16, Rowling (59) popped onto X with a triumphant cigar-in-hand snap captioned, “I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.” Cue Coughlan’s clapback two days later: she reshared The Cut’s blistering headline, “This Is a New Low for J.K. Rowling,” and scribbled across it, “Keep your new Harry Potter lads,” referring to HBO’s upcoming Potter series—yes, the one Rowling helped shape behind the scenes.
Coughlan didn’t stop at a snarky Insta Story. She posted a candid video vowing to raise serious funds for Not A Phase, a U.K. charity aiding trans adults. “Seeing a marginalized community attacked in law is stomach-turning,” she fumed, explaining she’d match donations up to £10,000 ($13,265). Two days later (April 18), she celebrated nearly £100,000 ($132,655) raised—mic drop moment, right? Coughlan’s rallying cry to cis allies: speak up, show solidarity, and stand alongside trans and nonbinary friends. (I mean, who wouldn’t want to back that?)
This public feud is the latest twist in Rowling’s ongoing anti-trans saga that kicked off in 2020. Back then, she faced heat from everyone—Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon lamented how “painful” Rowling’s views were for her trans son. Even Pete Davidson couldn’t resist poking fun on SNL, quipping, “What’s wrong with her?” And let’s not forget the original Hogwarts crew chimed in: Daniel Radcliffe penned a heartfelt apology via The Trevor Project, Rupert Grint told The Sunday Times “trans women are women,” and Emma Watson tweeted unwavering support for trans rights.
But here’s the kicker: Coughlan’s superhero fundraising blitz has become the story’s real headline. In barely 48 hours, she skyrocketed past her goal and she’s still going—proof that celeb power can be a force for good. Meanwhile, HBO’s Potter adaptation sails on, but expect the chatter around Rowling’s involvement to get louder. (Do I need another coffee? Probably, yes.)
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Cut, Nicola Coughlan’s Instagram Stories, J.K. Rowling’s X post, The Trevor Project Essay
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
