A major annualHarry Potterevent has been canceled. J.K. Rowling’s firstHarry Potternovelwas published in 1997, but the cinematic franchise started four years later with 2001’sHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There went on to be eight movies in themainHarry Potterfranchise, along with aFantastic Beastsspinoff series, a stage play, and more.
Now, aHarry PotterTV seriesis being developed by HBO. Several of the main cast members have been announced, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Others include Nick Frost, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Johnny Flynn, and Bel Powley.
Unfortunately, there has been a negative update in theHarry Potteruniverse as the"Back to Hogwarts" day at King’s Cross Station has been canceled.As perCollider, the organizers have confirmed that the event will not be returning in 2025 and is not planned to come back for any year after that. The stated reason for the cancellation was overcrowding and disruption of travel for commuters.
What This Means For Harry Potter Fans
The “Back to Hogwarts” event took place every Sept. 1 at 11:00 a.m.Fans would gather at the real-life King’s Cross Station in London, where scenes including the Hogwarts Express were filmed. Marking the fictional departure from platform 9¾, the tradition included an announcement and departure boards that displayed a trip to “Hogsmeade.”
The traditional in-person event was also canceled last year due to crowd concerns. This year’s update more officially puts the nail in the coffin surrounding the in-person celebration.
That said,Warner Bros. is still offering fans a way to celebrate “Back to Hogwarts” day.The company is providing a digital experience forHarry Potterfans that will include giveaways, themed competitions, and a free screening ofHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. A Q&A from Weasley twin actors James and Oliver Phelps will follow.
Our Take On The Back To Hogwarts Day Cancellation
While this result is disappointing for fans,the Back to Hogwarts day cancellation should not come as a huge surprise.With millions of fans globally, it is imaginable that such a celebration would be well-attended and become unmanageable. This is especially the case because of the celebration taking place in a public space.
The pivot to Warner Bros. hosting a virtual event might give the company time to focus on promoting other Hogwarts-related experiences. This notably includes the release of theHarry PotterTV series, which is still in development. “Back to Hogwarts” Day may not be happening in its original form, but Potter fans still have plenty to look forward to.
