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ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was heavily involved with all eight films in the series.
  • But she was only shown in archival footage in the recent reunion.
  • Where does her relationsip with the main trio — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint — stand today?
Harry Potter Rupert Grint, Author JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson attend the world premiere of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
Rupert Grint, J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson | Gareth Davies/Getty Images

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was heavily involved in the casting and production of all eight films. She was also photographed on the red carpet at every premiere along with stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

It’s pretty common knowledge that the film adaptation of Rowling’s book series led to the three young actors becoming global film stars. And for years the author appeared to have a good relationship with each one. But as Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts plays on HBO Max, where does Rowling’s relationship with Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint stand today?

‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling praised the main trio from the films

When the Harry Potter films were being made throughout the 2000s, Rowling was often caught on camera interacting with the cast members. Especially the main trio of Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Watson (Hermione Granger), and Grint (Ron Weasley).

After the release of the final movie, Rowling gushed about Radcliffe and how she was moved by his audition tape when she first saw it. She said it felt like watching her own son on the screen, and she also noted how perfect Watson and Grint were for their roles.

At the premiere of The Deathly Hallows Part 2, all three young actors delivered emotional speeches about how grateful they were for Rowling. As well as how appreciative they were to be part of the world that she created– the Harry Potter universe.

The ‘Harry Potter’ cast doesn’t agree with J.K. Rowling’s politics

In 2020, Rowling posted a tweet where she questioned using the term “people who menstruate” and the idea that it was interchangeable with the word “women.” As a feminist and champion of girls and women across the globe, Rowling’s politics came across as unaccepting of non-binary and transgender people.

Rowling argued in an essay that gender identity should not be prioritized over biological sex. This resulted in several of the Harry Potter cast members speaking out against Rowling and her alleged transphobic comments. Including Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint.

Where J.K. Rowling’s relationship stands with the ‘Harry Potter’ cast today

Radcliffe’s statement acknowledged that Rowling was responsible for how his life and career have turned out. But he said he couldn’t stand by the author’s comment.

Watson posted a thread of tweets that showed her support for the transgender community. While Grint said he firmly stood with the trans community and echoed the sentiments expressed by many of his peers. However, he acknowledged that he still had a great deal of respect for Rowling’s work.

The ‘Harry Potter’ author was left out of the HBO Max reunion

When HBO Max announced in November that the release of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts was coming soon, the trailer revealed all of the cast and crew members would be appearing at the reunion. The one name that was noticeably missing from the list was Rowling.

That same day, Watson posted throwback pics on social media from her Harry Potter experience. She praised her fellow cast members and expressed her gratitude to fans, but never mentioned Rowling.

Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint were all part of the reunion. They caught up with the film’s other child stars on board the Hogwarts Express train. Including Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).  Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) were also there. But Rowling was nowhere to be found.

Instead, the only appearance by the 56-year-old Rowling in the reunion was via archival footage. She is seen in a 2019 video discussing the hunt for the right Harry Potter actor, and the relief she felt when they found Radcliffe.

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Despite the rift between Rowling and the Harry Potter cast over her politics, the author of the biggest-selling book series in history isn’t backing down. She posted another tweet in December that once again was perceived as transphobic. Despite the backlash, Rowling refuses to apologize.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is now playing on HBO Max.

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