After almost 20 years on our bookshelves, Harry’s story is at an end. *sad face*
[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap]f you’re a big fan of the Harry Potter series and aren’t quite ready to let go, then make sure you’re sitting down before you read this.
Are you sat down?
Okay.
During the London premiere of the stage play and 8th instalment of Harry’s journey, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, J.K. Rowling told the press something (via EW) we really weren’t ready to hear:
“Harry goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we’re done. This is the next generation, you know. So, I’m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now.”
‘We’re done’ – who knew two words could cut us so deeply.
Reaching the end of a much-loved series is never easy, so it’s no wonder potterheads everywhere were overjoyed when it was announced we’d be getting an 8th story which would reunite us with our favourite trio, Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The stage play – which is now officially open to the public after completing it’s preview run – was released in book form this week, and quickly became the fastest selling book in the UK in over a decade. With glittering reviews from critics and fans alike, it just goes to show how eager Potter fans are for more.
Although we were ever hopeful of getting even more of Potter after the Cursed Child, it does make sense for Rowling to leave Harry here. The setting and time-frame of the 8th story is set 19 years after Deathly Hallows Part 2’s epilogue, meaning Harry’s heyday is now behind him, and the play is said to focus largely on his son, Albus Severus Potter.
Image via Pottermore. From left to right: Jamie Parker (Harry), Sam Clemmett (Albus) and Poppy Miller (Ginny).
It may be the end for Harry, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s the last we’ll see of Rowling’s wizarding world. We could get more stories which are set decades after Harry’s day, or maybe even prior. Rowling’s new project Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set 70 years before Harry’s born after all, so anything’s possible.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in 1997, meaning Rowling has given us a magical series of books following a young wizard who became a legend in his own right for almost two decades. Whilst we’re very sad to say goodbye to Harry, we’re ever so grateful for the wealth of books and movies Rowling gave to us, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in Fantastic Beasts later this year.
We’ll miss you, Harry.
More tickets for the Cursed Child stage play will be released August 4th, and you can get your hands on a copy of the book worldwide now.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will bring the magic back to the big screens 18 November, 2016.
