#Here’s Why JK Rowling Isn’t Part of HBO Max’s Harry Potter Reunion

With HBO Max’s Harry Potter reunion set to air, here’s a look at why the franchise’s author won’t be attending.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter stirred up one of the most magical and mystical fictional franchises through the power of literature after Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone took to bookshelves in 1997. Author J.K. Rowling toyed with the idea of witches, wizards, and other magical beings co-existing in the modern age, rekindling the popularity of fantasy novels through a series that has been passed on from generation to generation of those longing to receive their own letter to Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was later retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as it was adapted for the screen by Steve Kloves, who also penned most of the scripts for all seven book adaptations.

The Wizarding World cinematic saga spanned across eight Harry Potter films with Fantastic Beasts prequels trailing behind them after the original series concluded in 2011. The cast who brought Rowling’s iconic novels to life on the silver screen became synonymous with their characters in Harry Potter as each character’s journey was made anew through the power of film. The cast has been assembled by HBO Max to look back at their time in the Wizarding World, cherish the memories made, and offer the world an update as to where they are now. Most notably, J.K. Rowling will be absent from the reunion special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, and here’s why.

What Has Officially Been Said

The rumors around Rowling’s absence swirl in many directions, kicking up speculations about why the author decided to sideline the reunion that she was so instrumental in bringing to life. Entertainment Weekly has reported that Rowling and her team had declined the invitation that was extended to them through Warner Bros., and that Rowling excusing herself from participating had no relation to her past transphobic comments. The team behind Rowling has said that the author will make an appearance in the special through the use of archival footage that was recorded in 2019, and deemed it as “sufficient for the special.”

What’s Being Speculated

Despite Rowling’s team insisting that the author’s declination to attend Return to Hogwarts is not connected to her strong transphobic attitudes, and the controversy that has transpired from them, the team’s press statement does not hold enough conviction to persuade those who have witnessed Rowling’s ongoing hate speech. In her most recent allegation, Rowling issued distasteful comments over sexual assault in relation to gender identity, where she compared a newly implemented policy over gender being recognized in a court of law to George Orwell’s 1984. Rowling’s aggression towards the transgender community has been publically noted since June 6, 2020, after she Tweeted “‘people who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” in response to a gender-neutral article. Rowling published Troubled Blood, a novel that was accused of hosting alleged transphobic content. Her protagonist is a cisgender male that wears feminine clothing, presenting himself as a woman to stalk and kill his victims.


The blatantly unacceptable and ongoing narrative from Rowling has caused many to distance themselves from being in association with her as an individual. Warner Bros. came forward in 2020 and retaliated against the continual stream of anti-trans tweets, though still backs the Fantastic Beasts franchise on its five-picture crusade. While Rowling’s team is adamant in their denial that Rowling’s transphobic behavior does not contribute to her reasoning for declining to reunite with the cast, the consequential backlash ultimately stems from the one primary controversy.

Related: Emma Watson Breaks Her Silence on Wanting to Quit Harry Potter Franchise

Where the Harry Potter Cast Stands

Members of the Harry Potter cast have shown zero tolerance for J.K. Rowling and have removed themselves from association with her to the best of their extent. Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, spoke to The Trevor Project about the controversy:

“I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.

Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger throughout the Harry Potter series, issued her support towards the transgender community through a series of Tweets.

“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you, and love you for who you are.”

Rupert Grint and Bonnie Wright, who were cast as Ron and Ginny Weasely respectively, have raised their voices against J.K. Rowling’s essay on the concept of gender. “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men,” Grint said, as published by the Sunday Times. “We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.” Wright chimed in with a Tweet of her own, and had written “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.”


The studio behind it all, Warner Bros., joined the chorus and spoke out against Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric after the author refused to cease publishing her harmful stance on transgender identities. The studio stood in solidarity with those that Rowling’s comments targeted, and Variety reports that they released a statement in response.

“Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content.”

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