The celebration of the Harry Potter films airs on New Year’s Day. 

With just a couple of day to go until the release of Return to Hogwarts, there’s now a behind the scenes trailer catching up with some of the main participants.

Celebrating 20 years since the making of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the special will reunite stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. It’s billed as “a magical first-person journey through the franchise” and promises “all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations as it celebrates the films.”

In the trailer, Emma Watson talks about her trepidation surrounding the filming, but ends up deeming it “an unexpected joy”. Rupert Grint talks about Harry Potter’s enduring, all-pervasive presence in his life.

Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe considers the feelings had upon ending his famous role after the eight films:

“I think the thing that scared me the most when we were coming out of it, was the implication that the most meaningful thing in our life was done. There’s something so joyous about seeing everyone and being like ‘it wasn’t, though’. We’ve all gone on to do other stuff. People have wives and kids and lives, there’s something really lovely about seeing that.”

As well as assorted of students, allies and villains, Return to Hogwarts will feature the franchise’s four directors too. Additionally, there are reminiscences of those sadly no longer with us, such as Richard Harris (Dumbledore I), Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), Alan Rickman (Snape) and Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy).

JK Rowling

While the author herself will not appear at the reunion, she will be represented by archive footage from 2019.

Return to Hogwarts will be available on Sky Max on the 1st of January 2022. It debuts at 8.05 am, then shows again at 8pm and repeatedly through the week. It will also be available to stream via Now.

In the US, it appears on HBO Max. Sky are also celebrating the anniversary with other programming, check here for details.