JK Rowling will feature in the Harry Potter 20th reunion special, but only in archive video clips.

The original cast from all eight films are set to come together to celebrate two decades since the first film: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone hit our screens.

The retrospective special which is produced by Warner Bros will bring together Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson with other Harry Potter alumni.

The magical tribute will include some of the franchise's biggest names but it was rumoured that the wizarding world's author had been excluded after becoming a controversial figure in recent years.

Last year, Rowling responded to an article headlined “creating a more equal post-Covid-19 world for people who menstruate”.

She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Rowling has denied accusations that she is transphobic and has defended her comments by saying: “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction.”

The author's divisive opinions are said to be motivated by her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

JK Rowling will feature in Harry Potter special in archive footage

The 56-year-old will however appear in the highly anticipated reunion through 2019 archive footage.

The special will also praise her work as an author with many of the series' stars noting her talent. 

Ruper Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the films, is seen saying that “it was such an intricately, perfectly designed universe”.

While Rubeus Hagrid, also known as the actor, Robbie Coltrane, said: “One of the many reasons I admire JK so much is millions now read books who would have never have lifted a book up in their lives and you suddenly realise the power of writing.”

During the special, Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, reminisces about her father reading the books to her when she was just eight years old.

While her role as the wizarding world's creator is celebrated, her position on transgender rights had been criticised by the Harry Potter cast, including the likes of Emma Watson and Harry himself, Daniel Radcliffe.

Radcliffe wrote “transgender women are women” in a statement through the LGBT suicide prevention charity the Trevor Project.

Watson also tweeted support for the Trans community, posting: “Trans people are who they say they are.”

Who will appear in the Harry Potter Reunion special?

Rowling will not appear with cast members and is only seen in archive clips throughout the programme.

Other big names signed up for the show include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton and Tom Felton.

Actors James and Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Ian Hart are also expected to appear.

They will be joined by American filmmaker Chris Columbus in the programme as they discuss the films and their impact.

The special will also include a tribute to actors Richard Harris, who played the first Dumbledore, Richard Griffiths, who played Vernon Dursley, Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy, and Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape.

Watson, 31, said: “Its so amazing to be back but its so shocking that so many people that we both thought would be around for so much longer than they have been.”

Grint, 33, added: “They’re like family, we grieve in the same way. Too soon.”

Radcliffe stated in the episode that Rickman was the only actor who was told what was going to happen in the films while the rest of the cast has to find out “book by book”.

Radcliffe added: “It was just Rickman, that was it, he had the inside line. He very, very early said to Jo (Rowling) ‘I think I need to know what happens’.

“He never told anyone. They would literally say to him ‘why are you doing it like that’, and he would say ‘I’ll tell you later’.”

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will air on Sky and Now at midnight on January 1, 2022.