J.K. Rowling mysteriously absent from Harry Potter reunion

The stars of Harry Potter are reuniting for a big TV special – but the woman who created the entire franchise is nowhere to be seen.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the first Harry Potter film graced the big screen. But two decades, eight films, two spin-off movies and a theatre play later, the original stars are reuniting.

The magical trio – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – are coming together for the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts retrospective special on HBO Max.

But one VIP doesn’t seem to be joining them: the creator of the Wizarding World herself and author of the famed Hogwarts universe, J.K. Rowling, who made some controversial comments about the trans community last year.

The Post contacted Rowling’s reps for comment.

J.K. Rowling is nowhere to be seen in the trailer for the new Harry Potter reunion. Picture: AFP

Other stars set to join the three actors include director Chris Columbus, as well as other stars of the franchise Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Ian Hart.

The special will hit HBO Max on New Year’s Day 2022, ahead of the release of the franchise’s third spin-off, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

A one-minute teaser was released today, announcing the reunion and featuring highlight clips from across the eight films. The franchise began in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and ended a decade later with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least,” Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, said in a statement.

The TV special will reunite the stars of the franchise, 20 years after the first film.

“This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon – from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later,” he said.

Executive producer Casey Patterson said the reunion was exciting for fans.

“There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago. The excitement is palpable as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films.”

On Tuesday, Watson, 31, shared a throwback photo of herself standing with Grint, 33, and Radcliffe, 32, when they were kids back in the early 2000s. She looked back on her time starring as Hermione Granger and expressed her excitement for the reunion.

“Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favourite fictional character of all time. I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting … BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW! And still know,” she wrote.

“I am proud not just of what we as group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path. I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful,” she continued. “Happy 20th Anniversary Potterheads!”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission