“Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.” Image: screengrab from YouTube/HBO Max
Good news to Harry Potter fans — “The invitation you’ve been waiting for has arrived,” as HBO Max has released the first look teaser of the upcoming “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” special.
The short teaser begins with a woman holding a copy of the The Daily Prophet newspaper with the headline “Hogwarts Welcomes Back Alumni,” as seen on HBO Max YouTube page yesterday, Dec. 6.
It also gave fans a glimpse of Platform 9 3/4 with cast members Robbie Coltrane and Matthew Lewis opening their Hogwarts invitation, and Mark Williams boarding the train. Coltrane portrays the half-giant wizard Rubeus Hagrid, Lewis as the Gryffindor student Neville Longbottom, while William plays Arthur Weasley, the head of the Weasley household.
“The retrospective special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time,” HBO Max said.
The upcoming special, which will premiere on Jan. 1, will also be joined by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and cast members across all “Harry Potter” films namely Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch and Evanna Lynch.
“Harry Potter” series author J.K Rowling will also be featured in the archive footage but she will not be making a personal appearance on the show.
Rowling was accused of transphobia following her statement on the LGBTQ community, which also stirred opposing reactions from the film’s stars Radcliffe, Grint and Watson. JB
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