Emma Watson thanks Harry Potter fans for ‘fighting’ to make fandom ‘loving and inclusive’
Emma Watson. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Emma Watson has thanked Harry Potter fans for making the fandom a “loving and inclusive place” ahead of a one-off reunion special.
In an Instagram post Wednesday (17 November), the 31-year-old reflected on her career as the wizarding franchise celebrates two decades since the release of the first Harry Potter film, The Philosopher’s Stone.
Watson, who was 11 when she first took on the role of bookworm Hermione Granger, shared two photographs from the set of the film, including one of her with Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe. The trio will reunite for a new special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, for HBO Max.
“Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favourite fictional character of all time,” Watson wrote in the caption.
As she paid tribute to her fellow cast members, she thanked the Harry Potter fanbase for always being welcoming to everyone.
“Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed,” she said.
“The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place.”
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Harry Potter fans have fought to reclaim their fandom, and to make it an affirming place for trans people and the wider LGBT+ community.
March saw the release of a stop motion YouTube series that finally brought trans representation to Hogwarts: Lego Harry Potter and the Transgender Witch.
Before that, in September 2020, one superfan sold her collection of memorabiilia to raise funds for the transgender youth charity Mermaids.
Meanwhile, Emma Watson and her co-stars have come out in support of trans rights – unlike a certain writer.
Watson said back in June 2020: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.”
She added: “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will see the magical cast reunite on set to discuss the making of the original films. It will stream on HBO Max from 1 January, 2022 in the US. A UK broadcaster has not yet been confirmed.
Watson added: “I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW!!! And still know.
“I am proud not just of what we as a group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path.
“I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful.”
