Fans are already getting emotional over HBO Max‘s first-look teaser for the much-anticipated “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.”
The preview, which aired Sunday night on TBS and Cartoon Network following the “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses,” featured appearances from Robbie Coltrane (who played Hagrid), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley).
The retrospective event premieres Jan. 1 in celebration of the beloved film franchise’s 20th anniversary, which began with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in 2001.
“Goosebumpsss,” said one fan, while another viewer called it an “emotional rollercoaster,” echoing thousands of fans on social media, many of whom responded to the teaser with tearful emojis.
“This is the first thing I’m watching in the new year. I’ve grown up with Harry Potter my whole life; books and movies,” one fan added. “Seeing the original cast back at Hogwarts 20 years later will be an emotional rollercoaster.”
The series’ breakout stars — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint — will be in attendance, as will the full cast of veteran supporting actors — Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch and Evanna Lynch, to name a few.
“There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago,” said the reunion’s executive producer at Warner Bros., Casey Patterson, in November. “The excitement is palpable as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films.”
Of course, missing from the unscripted special will be the late Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), who passed away in 2016 at the age of 69 following a short battle with Pancreatic cancer — which fans lamented on social media.
“No, I’m not crying…” added one fan in mourning, alongside a gloomy silhouette of Rickman as Professor Snape.
Also noticeably missing from the lineup, the story’s creator, author J.K. Rowling, who has been laying low since making controversial comments last year that some fans have deemed “transphobic.”
“I’m not gonna lie, I wish JK Rowling was part of it. Her insights would have been relevant. She’ll be missed,” one said, adding, “I still think she’s trash as a person tho.”