JK Rowling opens up on skipping 'Harry Potter' reunion special

In a recent interview, Rowling also talked about the death threat she received on social media recently after she condemned the attack on fellow author Salman Rushdie

Author JK Rowling has finally opened up about her absence from the Harry Potter reunion special, saying she made a conscious decision to skip it.

In an interview on Saturday as part of Graham Norton’s Radio Show Podcast, Rowling addressed the rumours claiming she wasn't invited for the 20th-anniversary reunion special of the Harry Potter movies, which were based on her widely-acclaimed book series, that aired on HBO Max on January 1.

The writer, who has been facing backlash on social media over her stance on women’s rights issues and the trans community, clarified that she was asked to be a part of the special but she decided not to attend it.

“Yeah, I was asked to be on that and I decided I didn’t want to do it. I thought it was about the films more than the book, quite rightly, that was what the anniversary was about," Rowling said.

"No one said don’t (do it)... I was asked to do it and I decided not to," she added.

The reunion special featured Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, the leading trio of the Harry Potter film franchise, along with filmmaker Chris Columbus and other cast members.

During the interview, Rowling also talked about the death threat she received on social media recently after she condemned the attack on fellow author Salman Rushdie. "I try to behave online as I would like others to behave... I've never threatened anyone. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to go to their houses or anything like that.