Harry Potter reunion: What time and channel is Return to Hogwarts on in the UK and US?

UK and US viewers are able to stream the special on Sky and NOW

Harry Potter fans around the world are finally able to watch the new reunion special Return to Hogwarts.

The cast of the fantasy franchise are marking the first film’s 20th anniversary with a one-off special debuting in the US on HBO Max.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will be joined by fellow cast members including Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter to reminisce about their time working together.

The eight films – beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and ending with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II – spanned 10 years, from 2001 to 2011.

Radcliffe was 11 years old when he first portrayed the orphaned wizard. In the final film, he was 22 while his character was 17.

How can I watch Return to Hogwarts?

US viewers are able to stream the special from midnight on New Year’s Day (1 January) on HBO Max, the network’s streaming service.

Viewers in the UK are able to watch the special exclusively on Sky and the streaming service NOW.

The special arrives on Sky and NOW platforms at 8.05am GMT on Saturday,  1 January.

Return to Hogwarts will also air on Sky Showcase at 8.00pm that evening (1 January).

In the special, Radcliffe reveals a flirty note that he wrote to an older cast member on the last day of filming, while Watson detailed the moment she “fell in love” with Felton on set.

Radcliffe also described “trying to be cool” to impress co-star Gary Oldman, and Ralph Fiennes revealed what lead him to accept the role of the villainous Lord Voldemort.

Contrary to early reports, controversial Harry Potter author JK Rowling did in fact feature in the special. Rowling’s involvement had been thrown into doubt following a backlash over comments she has made about transgender people.

The cast also discussed a time when Emma Watson almost quit the franchise. The special closed with a tribute to the late Alan Rickman, a moment which moved Harry Potter fans to tears.

You can read The Independent’s review of Return to Hogwarts here.