J.K. Rowling was notably absent from the 2022 Harry Potter anniversary reunion special, but the reasons make it obvious why she wasn’t included.
When the Harry Potter anniversary reunion special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts came out, it was a momentous event for fans of the franchise worldwide. Released on January 1st, 2022 on Max (then called HBO Max), the special celebrated the 20th anniversary of the movie franchise’s first installment, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It was also the first Harry Potter-related piece of content that had been released since Deathly Hallows Part 2 that wasn’t a Fantastic Beasts movie.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts saw the franchise’s lead three actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, many of the veteran principal cast members, producer David Heyman, and the films’ four directors return to discuss their cherished experiences and memories they had while working on the epic series. From behind-the-scenes footage to intimate conversations between reuniting close friends, the Harry Potter anniversary reunion special had many cool reveals and was an incredibly emotional event for fans of the series. However, there was one notable person who was noticeably absent from the special: J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.
J.K. Rowling Didn’t Want To Be Part Of The Harry Potter Anniversary Reunion Special
J.K. Rowling didn’t participate in the Harry Potter anniversary reunion special, with her only appearance in Return to Hogwarts being 30 seconds of archival footage from interviews she gave in 2019. There was speculation that the reason for Rowling’s absence was because of her anti-trans views that she shared online, which sparked a massive backlash against the author.
However, it was revealed that Rowling was actually invited to attend the Harry Potter anniversary special, but she declined the invitation and stated that archival footage of her was enough. According to an interview with Graham Norton on Virgin Radio UK, Rowling claimed “I thought it was about the films more than the book, quite rightly, that was what the anniversary was about. No one said don’t [do it]… I was asked to do it and I decided not to.” (via Deadline).
What The Harry Potter Cast Has Said About Rowling’s Controversy
Many members of the Harry Potter cast have publicly spoken out against the comments Rowling made about the trans community. For example, Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, wrote in a 2020 tweet, “If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x.” However, other Harry Potter cast members like Luna Lovegood actor Evanna Lynch have defended Rowling, pleading with critics to show her more grace.
If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x
— Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) June 10, 2020
In spite of the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s views, many of the Harry Potter cast have continued publicly supporting trans fans of the series, most notably Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe. In a statement Radcliffe made with The Trevor Project, he wrote “…if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life – then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred.” (via The Trevor Project). And it’s these characters, and the actors who give them life, that make Harry Potter so special to the fans.
