JK Rowling has not been snubbed from the Harry Potter 20th anniversary special, as previous reports had stated.
Actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are set to appear in the show that will reflect on memories made during the production of the blockbuster film franchise.
In footage from the production seen by The Independent, stars such as Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, and Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character of the films, are heard praising the author behind the story.
(L-R) David Heyman, Emma Watson, JK Rowling and Rupert Grint, with the Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema award received for the Harry Potter films, in the press room at the 2011 Orange British Academy Film Awards, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.
Ian West
Rowling is also seen in a segment from 2019, where she discusses the difficult task of finding someone to play the iconic lead character of the franchise.
It was initially believed that the author would not appear at all as a result of the ongoing row over her transgender views.
Despite this, it is now confirmed that the 56-year-old crops up in conversations and archives that will feature in the Sky exclusive show.
Bonnie Wright said: "So many people were falling in love with JK Rowling's writing'" while Daniel Radcliffe added : ''I think it's very easy to forget that at the time, people were talking about the death of reading".
Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the films, concurred: "One of the many reasons I admire JK so much is that millions now read books who would never have lifted a book up in their lives, and you suddenly realise the power of writing".
JK Rowling is seen in archive footage reminiscing about her feeling of relief at finding a young Daniel Radcliffe to take on the lead role.
She said: "We couldn't find Harry! We just couldn't find Harry, and it was getting kind of weird, and panicky".
The author said that "it was very emotional seeing this kid sitting there and talking and I just thought, "Yep, that's him, thank God, we found him".
Rowling, however, will not appear in any new footage in the production.
In June 2020, JK Rowling sparked controversy by criticising an opinion piece that used the term "people who menstruate" instead of women.
The 56-year-old screenwriter has since clarified her views on transgender, saying "I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them," and went on to say she would march "if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans.
"At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female," she said in a Tweet. "I do not believe it's hateful to say so".
