‘Harry Potter’ Seemingly Introduces Its First Transgender Character In New Video Game

Harry Potter is setting new waves with its highly anticipated video game, “Hogwarts Legacy.”

“Hogwarts Legacy” is an “action role-playing game in which players explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the nearby village of Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and other iconic locations featured in the books and movies,” set in the Harry Potter universe according to CNN.

Players are introduced to some new people, including Sirona Ryan who is the owner of the Three Broomsticks pub, and though it doesn’t specifically say she’s trans, it’s hinted by the dialogue.

“Hadn’t seen him in years when he came in a few months ago,” Sirona says about a goblin the player is pursuing. “But, he recognized me instantly. Which is more than I can say for some of my own classmates. Took them a second to realize I was actually a witch, not a wizard.”

The game releases Friday, with some people getting early access, while journalists and gamers have been teased with new details.

The new character comes as a surprise to some people since the author of Harry Potter, JK Rowling, has made it pretty clear of her opinions on transgender people criticizing mainstream transgender rights movements.

“When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman … then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside,” Rowling said, defending her opinion in an essay.

Players have since commented on Sirona’s name, saying the name choice had a masculine undertone, and Sirona refers to a Celtic Greek goddess of healing and birth.