The New Year has begun with a bang for delighted Harry Potter fans, after the much-anticipated reunion special went live in some parts of the world as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts sees the stars of the eight-film franchise return to the the wizarding world to reminisce about old times back on set.
Seeing Daniel Radcliffe, who played the leading role of Harry Potter, Rupert Grint, his best friend Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson, their genius best friend Hermione Granger, return to their screens again after so long has been an emotional ride for fans.
READ MORE: 14 Harry Potter film stars who are sadly no longer with us
Those who were quickest off the mark to watch the reunion had already taken to Twitter by 2am this morning (January 1) to say they had felt “so nostalgic throughout the whole thing.”
Gushing fans have described the reunion as “beautifully done,” with one person describing how the show had them “crying and giggling like a kid”.
As well as the three lead characters, the throwback features other major cast members including Tom Felton, who played Harry’s school nemesis Draco Malfoy, Ralph Fiennes, who played evil wizard Lord Voldemort, and Helena Bonham Carter, who played the Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange.
But the joy of Harry Potter fans at the reunion has been tainted with grief, for a major star of the films who is notably absent from the reunion.
(Image: Warner Bros)
The UK was devastated when Alan Rickman, whose depiction of surly potions master and enemy-turned-hero Severus Snape became one of the best parts of the Harry Potter franchise, tragically died less than a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The London-born actor, who was 69 when he died in 2016, became nothing short of a national treasure for his stunning performances in countless major acting roles, including in Love Actually, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Sense and Sensibility.
But it was arguably his contribution to Harry Potter, from the first film right through to his redemption in the last, which really won Alan Rickman the nation’s hearts.
It’s no surprise that fans watching the reunion have been overjoyed yet at the same time heartbroken to see “so much Alan Rickman” featured, expressing their devastation that he couldn’t be there with his fellow cast members.
“There’s so much Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter Reunion I’m just so heartbroken,” wrote one person on Twitter, as others said they were tearful within minutes of starting the show.
One moving message read: “Getting to watch the Harry Potter reunion and not getting to see Alan Rickman be a part of it hurt my heart.
“I wish he could have been apart of that and to experience his feelings through it.”
“I wish Alan Rickman was alive for this reunion,” agreed someone else, who added: “Snape was such a big part of harry potter.”
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Those who have already watched the reunion haven’t been able to stop talking about the brilliant ending, which they thought was the “perfect” tribute to the late actor.
“Ending the Harry Potter reunion with Alan Rickman’s Severus Snape saying “Always” wrecked me,” said one emotional fan, who loved that producers had chosen to resurrect one of Snape’s most moving moments from the films.
“Now why did they have to go and end the reunion with “always”, I’m about to wake up my whole fam with my sobbing,” said someone else.
And everyone else had to agree that, “Harry Potter Reunion’s Ending Is The Perfect Alan Rickman Tribute.”
As of 12am today (January 1), UK viewers can watch the special exclusively on Sky and the streaming service NOW. It is on Sky Showcase at 8pm today.
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