Fans are devouring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as we speak but while doing press for the new play and script book, J.K. Rowling decided once again to let the world know she won't be writing about Harry anymore. Probably.
Harry Potter devotees were busy attending midnight release parties yesterday to grab their copy of the next installment of his story which is actually a two-part play billed as “the eighth story” and “nineteen years later.” Rowling planned for the script to be released so all fans could have access. It was a dream many never imagined would come true.
You may recall she wrote an epilogue in Deathly Hallows that previewed that time in Harry's life but all signs pointed to it being the last we'd see of the Boy Who Lived (though she has given us glimpses into the lives of her characters through the official fansite Pottermore).
In 2007 she said, “I think that Harry's story comes to quite a clear end in Book Seven but I've always said that I wouldn't say 'never.' I cant say I'll never write another book about that world just because I think what do I know, in ten years time I might want to return to it but I think its unlikely.”
When asked by Oprah Winfrey in 2010 whether or not she knew what happens “ever after” with Harry, Rowling said “Yeah, I do. I couldn”t stop. I don”t think you can when you”ve been that involved with the characters for that long. It”s still all in there. They”re all in my head still. I mean I could write – I could – I could definitely write an eighth, ninth, tenth – I could – easily…I”m not going to say I won”t. I don”t think I will. I loved writing those books. I love writing it. So, I feel I am done but you never know.”
But speaking at the Palace Theatre for the launch of the play, Radio Times reports Rowling's latest take, “[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.”
Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, and Sonia Friedman created Cursed Child based on Rowling's story which not only focuses on Harry, Hermion, and Ron but their children. Particularly Harry and Ginny's son Albus Severus Potter.
“It chimed perfectly with the material I had about the next generation and I could see it would work perfectly,” said Rowling. “So I never wanted to write another novel, but this will give the fans something special.”
Is this really the last we'll see of Harry? Something tells me no. While I'd be just as excited to see adventures continue in the Wizarding world from the point of view of the next generation, I think Harry is too close to Rowling's heart to never write about him again.