Insiders reveal how JK Rowling got her 'ultimate revenge' on OG 'Harry Potter' trio after bitter fallout

JK Rowling decided to get her revenge on Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint by keeping them in the dark about the 'Harry Potter' reboot
PUBLISHED APR 18, 2025
JK Rowling wishes to leave behind the bitter memories of her fallout with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint over their different views on trans issues, an insider shared (Mike Marsland/WireImage and Getty Images)
JK Rowling wishes to leave behind the bitter memories of her fallout with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint over their different views on trans issues, an insider shared (Mike Marsland/WireImage and Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND: JK Rowling decided to take the “ultimate revenge” on the original trio of her blockbuster ‘Harry Potter’ film series by choosing to rewrite her legacy, and not making them a part of it after their bitter verbal altercation regarding personal beliefs. 

Grant Tucker wrote for Daily Mail that the once-billionaire author of ‘Harry Potter’, who is serving as the executive producer of the upcoming TV show based on her fiction book series, has decided to get her revenge on Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint by keeping them in the dark about the new project. 

Despite the actors being in the original 'Harry Potter' movies and pretty much growing up on the sets, Rowling has decided against bringing the famous trio back to the folds of the wizarding world, which has since then captured the imagination of millions of Potterheads around the world.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe, writer J.K. Rowling, actress Emma Watson and actor Rupert Grint attend the
Daniel Radcliffe, JK Rowling, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint attend the 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2' world premiere at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011, in London, England (Getty Images)

JK Rowling kept OG 'Harry Potter' trio in the dark about HBO series

Daily Mail’s Grant Tuker wrote in his piece that even though Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint first brought the beloved characters of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley to the silver screen, they have not been told about the casting of the characters for the TV series. 

The OG Harry, Ron, and Hermione will know the finalized actors’ names along with the rest of the world when HBO officially announces them in the upcoming months. 

A well-placed insider revealed, “It’s heartbreaking for the three of them,” before explaining, “Their childhoods were devoted to creating Harry Potter, and it held such a special place in all their lives.”

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) (Warner Bros.)
Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) (Warner Bros)

However, now that Hogwarts is set to open its doors once again to the teenage wizards and witches, the original trio, who shaped the childhoods of countless fans, face the bleak future of “being completely replaced.”

“But now as the world looks forward to seeing the stories on screen again, they are a mere afterthought, with no involvement in the new series,” shared the source, before adding, “Instead they face the prospect of being completely replaced in the minds of future generations of Harry Potter fans.”

Another source further added that those fears are not unfounded as Rowling is getting “very involved” in the upcoming series to ensure its faithfulness to the books. 

However, her desire is also driven partially by the fact that she wishes to leave behind the bitter memories of her fallout with Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint over their different views on trans issues. 

HBO's 'Harry Potter' show is JK Rowling's chance to 'move' away from vitriol 

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) (Warner Bros.)
Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson in a still from 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) (Warner Bros)

The source suggested that with the new project, the British author is not only “relishing the opportunity” to breathe new life into her books but also to have her revenge over the child actors who seemingly stopped supporting her. 

“Jo adores the magical world she created and can’t wait to bring it to life again with young, fresh talent,” shared the insider.

“This is her chance to move on from all the vitriol she has endured at the hands of those she made famous and start again with a new set of faces,” they added.

Actor Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe attend the 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' Premiere in Trafalgar Square on July 07, 2011 in London. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe attend the 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' premiere in Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011, in London (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

“In many ways, it is her ultimate revenge for their betrayal,” concluded the insider. 

A truce between the stars and the author doesn’t hold much prospect in the near future, as only last month, Rowling appeared to take a dig at the three stars in a social media exchange. 



 

When an X (formerly Twitter) user asked her, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?” Rowling replied, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” and ended it with three laughing emojis.

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