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A Harry Potter reunion was everything that fans of the film series had wanted for a long time. While it turned out to be one of the greatest cast reunions of all time, several cast members of the series could not make it to the reunions. Return to Hogwarts, the much-awaited Harry Potter reunion was able to bring a lot of beloved faces from the magical world of Hogwarts back. Still, fans will always yearn for the actors they could not get to see in the reunion. 

Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape, passed away some while ago; Credits: Mirror

Several stars from the series, Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape; Helen McCory, who starred as Narcissa Malfoy; and John Hurt, who played the part of the wandmaker Mr. Ollivander, passed away. Apart from the deceased actors, many actors chose not to return to the Hogwarts reunion. Here is the list of the actors who featured in the Harry Potter films but were not able to make it to the film series' reunion. 

Michael Gambon, who played Albus Dumbledore

Michael Gambon did not join the Hogwarts reunion; Credits: Screen Rant

Fans have always loved the character of Dumbledore, even back from the book days, but it was Michael Gambon who actually put life into the character. It would have only seemed natural if the actor would have appeared on the sets of the reunion wearing half-moon spectacles. But as fate has to have it, the original Dumbledore actor from Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets passed away at the age, and Michael Gambon succeeded him. The actor did not attend the reunion. 

"Return to Hogwarts was interesting. Overall I was pleased and thought it was a nice reunion and homage to the movie universe specifically. I do wish they talked a bit more about key cast members who weren’t there, like Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon. Otherwise very well done ✨," said a fan on Twitter, referring to the apparent lack of mentioning the actor who played the memorable Dumbledore. 

 Maggie Smith, who played Minerva McGonagall

Maggie Smith joined the reunion through footage; Credits: Insider

Harry Potter fans can not help but applaud the portrayal of professor Minerva McGonagall by Maggie Smith. The actress is now revered for her role in Downton Abbey, and while many Potterheads hoped to see her back for Hogwarts, the English actress did not join the rest of the cast. While she did make an appearance through video footage in Return to Hogwarts, her physical presence was indeed missed by everyone. 

Robert Pattinson, who was cast as Cedric Diggory

Robert Pattinson continues to be one of the most remembered Harry Potter actors; credits: Metro

While we are not very near to a Twilight reunion, fans had some hope to see Cedric Diggory actor Robert Pattinson back on the sets for the reunion. The actor has starred in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. His character enjoyed a great deal of admiration from his Hufflepuff and other Hogwarts peers before he was killed by Voldermort.

Looking back on this one time when Daniel had seen Robert on a Westside Highway, he shared, "I was on the Westside Highway, and I turned around and saw this billboard, and I was like, ‘What, I know that guy!’” “I hadn't heard of the Twilight books at the time; I hadn't been aware of that phenomenon. And so yeah, it's odd. We have a very strange relationship now where we basically only communicate through journalists." Considering that Robert got to be on sets for only one film, while all other actors from the franchise are practically like family, Robert Pattinson might not have felt very welcome to the reunion. 

Julie Walters as Molly Weasley

Julie Walters is presently battling cancer; Credits: Insider

Molly Weasly had become beloved on the Harry Potter figure as a warm, motherly figure of the young wizard, and many fans had anticipated the lady to return for the reunion. While Mark Williams, who played Arthur Weasly, the husband of Molly Weasly in the series, appeared for the reunion, actress Julie Walters could not make it to the get-together. 

The actress has majorly retired from her acting career in the TV and film industry. Back in 2020, she shared her cancer diagnosis and that she will be taking a back seat from her career. She revealed, “The oncologist said to me, ‘What do you think has caused the cancer?’ And the first thing that came to my mind was acting.” She admitted, “Acting caused it, because of the way I approach it — I have to be totally in it. It’s very stressful. You’re being judged. It’s a stressful job, and I don’t sleep when I’m working. It’s not good for me.”

J. K. Rowling

The most heartbreaking lack of appearance had to be the creator of the wizarding world and Hogwarts in the first place. While it certainly comes as a little of a shock, it is not surprising considering that most of the main characters from the film series called out the author for the transphobic remarks that J. K. Rowling made on Twitter. 

J. K. Rowling has been under fire for transphobic remarks and did not join Hogwarts reunion; Credits: BBC

Entertainment Weekly recently revealed that “an invitation was extended to Rowling to participate, but her team determined the archived comments from the writer were adequate.” Hence, fans will only get to see the author's previously filmed content back from 2019 as her only appearance in the Hogwarts Reunion. 

Another actor who will not be making an appearance on the show is David Thewlis, who played the werewolf Remus Lupin beginning from Prisoner of Azkaban and onwards. Several others could not make it either, but the reunion has still managed to be a magical experience for all fans.