I ended up clicking through to a different, related article:

John Lithgow considered quitting Harry Potter reboot over JK Rowling’s trans views

and this bit really caught my attention:

The actor acknowledged that some criticism, including from members of the LGBTQ+ community, had been difficult, noting he briefly considered leaving the project before deciding to stay.

He said he now expects in “every interview I will ever do for the rest of my life this will come up”.

So, he knows he’s hanging this albatross across his neck. I’m not sure if this self awareness makes it better or worse, but it does make me laugh for whatever goddam reason.