The Harry Potter Cast Members We Didn't See In The Return To Hogwarts Reunion

Beyond footage from the films, Michael Gambon is nowhere to be seen in "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts." Sure, Albus Dumbledore has become a bit of a controversial figure since he first entered Harry's life, but the Wizarding World experience wouldn't be the same without the wise old mentor and his magnificent beard. Gambon starred in several of the Potter films, taking over the role after its originator, Richard Harris, passed away. Potterheads are no doubt familiar with this change from one actor to the other, as there was some debate about Gambon's fiery take on the character, primarily revolving around the delivery of a certain line. Gambon has since gone on to be an even more lovable mentor figure as the voice of Uncle Pastuzo in the Paddington films, and also had roles in the Coen Brothers' "Hail Caesar," and Rupert Goold's "Judy."

Sadly, Robert Pattinson is also absent from the Hogwarts return. This major movie star only actually appeared in a single "Harry Potter" film — not counting some reused footage in the movie that follows Cedric Diggory's death — but it would've been an absolute joy to hear him reflect on his brief time in the franchise. Pattinson, who went on to star in the rival "Twilight" series, eventually superseded all sparkling expectations and became a Film Twitter indie darling. We've since become well acquainted with his unhinged side, especially when it comes to talking about his past films and projects.

Maybe Pattinson's brutal honesty and gleeful insanity would've been too much for the earnest reunion special ... or maybe he was too busy getting into tights for his turn as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming film, "The Batman." Either way, we're sad to report that he did not reunite with his bestie Daniel Radcliffe. On the bright side, we've seen plenty of Pattinson in the years since his Hogwarts arrival and can expect much more of him in the future. Pattinson is known for recent stand-out roles in films including "Good Time," "High Life," "Tenet," and "The Devil All The Time." And until we finally see "The Batman" in full, he's currently known as the most emo Bruce Wayne to ever grace our screens.

Is it just me, or is Harry Melling everywhere these days? The only place he is distinctly absent from is, apparently, Hogwarts. Melling appeared in several of the "Harry Potter" films as the world's meanest cousin, Dudley Dursley, a child best known for sporting a ridiculous hat and yelling about birthday presents. Since his days starring as a spoiled brat, Melling has been putting in the work to distance himself from the character, in fear of being typecast. In 2020, he told EW:

"I think I was very lucky that I was allowed to move away from Dudley. When you start as a child actor, I think there are certain stigmas you get from that, and I never really wanted to engage in them. I just wanted to continue doing work, and go into drama school as a sort of, not a conscious way of doing it, but maybe a way of bridging that gap.

Melling has since worked with Joel and Ethan Coen on "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," starred in the Netflix hit series "The Queen's Gambit," and re-teamed with Joel Coen for the much-anticipated film, "The Tragedy of Macbeth." I'd say his Dursley days are very much behind him.

The anniversary special takes some time to unpack Harry's relationship with his eventual wife, Ginny Weasley, but not a minute of time is spent on the Chosen One's first crush, Cho Chang (Katie Leung). It's too bad that Leung is missing from the special because the Harry Potter franchise is long overdue for a reckoning when it comes to her character — whether in the way she goes unexplored in the films or the general controversy surrounding her name, which evoked Chinese stereotypes. But maybe that's the very reason Leung doesn't appear: The actress once teased a Twitter thread that would discuss the Cho Chang controversy, but instead (in light of JK Rowling's transphobia) linked to charitable organizations supporting transgender people.

Leung does get a "Return to Hogwarts" mention from Emma Watson, who cites her alongside other women from the series she is thrilled to have worked with. You might recognize Leung's voice from her most recent role as Caitlyn in the Netflix series "Arcane."

David Thewlis was sorely missed in "Return to Hogwarts," especially when the conversation shifted to the third Harry Potter film, "Prisoner of Azkaban." Introducing both Thewlis's Remus Lupin and the character of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), this is where the movie franchise finally gets to the fan-favorite Marauders crew. Plus, Harry finally gets a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with something positive to offer. Perhaps the best Hogwarts professor we even get to meet, Remus Lupin has an unfortunately short tenure at the school but shows up in later movies to continue guiding Harry towards his destiny. As for Thewlis, he is currently set to star in "Avatar 3," a movie that may or may not be real.

As one of Britain's most acclaimed actresses, Emma Thompson was possibly just too busy for the "Harry Potter" reunion. And in all fairness, her time in the series was pretty brief: Thompson donned some huge glasses and frizzy hair and jumped into the franchise as Professor Trelawney, an unreliable seer who exclusively offered Harry terrifying prophecies. Most of her onscreen time was spent staring into a crystal ball and reading tea leaves, but Thompson still made her performance memorable. The actress recently appeared in Craig Gillespie's "Cruella," and has upcoming roles in "Matilda The Musical," "What's Love Got To Do With It" and "Good Luck To You, Leo Grande."

David Bradley has always had a villainous air to him — maybe because I first saw him as the disgruntled Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch. It probably doesn't help that he went on to play an even more repulsive character a few years later in "Game of Thrones." But Filch was pretty kid-friendly as far as mean adults go, mostly known to the young wizards and witches as an authority figure to avoid ... especially for those as prone to trouble as young Harry Potter. But it turns out that Bradley may be leaving his days as a terrifying adult in the past, since his next role is voicing Mister Geppetto in "Pinocchio."

Then again, this adaptation comes from Guillermo del Toro, so who's to say how dark the elderly woodcarver can get?

Speaking of missing Hogwarts professors, there's the ever confusing case of Alastor Moody. While we eventually get to spend a brief few scenes with the acclaimed auror, most of his time in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is a lie. Another character, Barty Crouch Jr., pretends to be Moody whilst secretly plotting to revive Voldemort. It's too bad Gleeson doesn't stop by the reunion to talk through the process of playing a character who's pretending to be his character. But if you're really craving more Gleeson in your life, you can catch him in "The Tragedy of Macbeth" alongside fellow Potter alum Harry Melling.