Ezra Miller Found Escape from Bullying and Homophobia in “Harry Potter” Books

Bullying and intimidation are recurring themes in the Harry Potter universe, just as they are in the lives of many Harry Potter fans. In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Ezra Miller brings to life the complex character of Credence Barebone, the adopted son of the leader of an anti-witchcraft organization in 1920s New York City. Credence tries his best not to be noticed by anyone since he is faced with harassment, jeering, and scorn at every turn, both in public and at home.

Ezra knew all too well how being different is not well tolerated in society since growing up, he himself was bullied and ostracized by many of his peers for his “strange interests,” speech impediment, and being queer. Unlike Credence, he was fortunate to have a loving and accepting family and the welcoming and understanding world of Harry, Hermione, and Ron to remind him of the good in the world.

When I started going through puberty and having confusing feelings about wanting to kiss people – not all of them being girls, there were moments in my life where I felt ostracized from my contemporaries or my peers.

Every day, he would read or listen to the adventures, and in these stories, he found not only comfort but also ways to manage the sadness caused by the bullying. The actor told WENN,

It was a bit of a sad time in my life, but you do what you have to do to get through times that are hard, and to have a resource like these [Harry Potter] stories that remind you of what’s good in the world and in yourself, it was helpful to me in many ways I can’t fully understand.

Have the Potter books or audiobooks helped you through difficult times in your life? Let us know how important the series has been to you by sharing your story in the comments below!