It’s been one year since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child began performances in London. One year since #Wormtaily. One year since fans around the globe consumed an “eighth” Harry Potter story.
Since then the play has seen a change of cast, a Broadway announcement, a kiss between Scorpius and Rose, and no love between Albus and Scorpius. For most of us it’s been a year since we read (or in my case, saw) the play. We all have passionate feelings about it, and it’s fair to say it’s been the most controversial part of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series yet.
In light of the anniversary and mixed reviews, we asked our supporters on Patreon how their relationship with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has changed — if at all — in the year since we’ve consumed the story.
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Survey results
So, how have everyone’s views changed, if at all? Here are the results of our survey.
87% of participants told us that they’ve read or seen The Cursed Child in the past year. As for those who still haven’t consumed the story in some fashion? 75% of them don’t consider it canon. Here’s specifically why they’ve avoided it:
“Based on what I’ve heard about it and the spoilers I’ve read, I have no interest. It sounds more like poorly written fanfic than a canon story to me. I’ve heard the stage production is gorgeous but I don’t think that would make up for the story in my opinion.” – Morgan
Article Continues Below“I have no interest in Cursed Child, I am content with the seven book Harry story, the plot of Cursed Child sounds derivative and it seems to me that the plot was developed to bring as many characters and plot elements from the Harry Potter books to a stage presentation. I would have been interested in future books in the series but now I am happy to move on.” – Chris
“I wasn’t interested in reading it the way it’s published. I do plan to see it on stage if it tours in my town.” – Joshua
“When spoilers from the play got online, I thought they were made up by fans to #KeepTheSecrets because what came out was so utterly ridiculous. Turns out it wasn’t fanfiction gone bad. Or it rather was, but made ‘canon.'” – M
“It’s too far away and J.K. Rowling didn’t write it.” – Amburpo
“I got the book but I’m waiting until I see the show in October before I read it. I have read the spoilers though.” – Frezb
“I don’t really care about it. Harry potter is the seven books to me, and I’m happy with only that. Fun Pottermore tidbits are cool too, but I don’t need a new story.” – Janneke
“With kids, it is hard to keep up with recent published works.” – Blinkyguy
For those who haven’t seen it, the past year hasn’t changed the majority of their feelings. 70% have had no change in opinion about Cursed Child, while 14% said their opinion has grown more negative and 15% said they’ve warmed up to it.
67% of readers told us they still hope to see it, while a whopping 24% are still undecided on seeing it live.
Should ‘The Cursed Child’ have happened to begin with?
These same readers are split on whether or not J.K. Rowling should’ve let it happen in the first place. 37% said she was right to let Cursed Child happen, but 33% said she was wrong.
“It was a nice little story of what it could have been, and I loved reading and seeing her characters on stage. But I am still undecided if I consider it canon. I can’t say if she was right or wrong!” Emily told us. “I’m not mad about it, but I didn’t NEED it,” said Charlee.
“I don’t know that I can say it was a mistake if the plot was truly what she imagined happening after DH, but that seems unlikely,” said Lila. “I loved seeing the characters again, but the plot was pure fanfiction.”
And Laura put it more simply: “Call it fan fiction and call it day. Official fanfiction.”
“I don’t mind the general premise, but JK should have kept the plot/writing to a higher standard,” said Ev.
And despite a mixed reaction to the story, readers are a little more definitive on whether or not it’s canon. Despite J.K. Rowling herself saying that it should be considered canon, 58% of survey participants said they don’t consider it canon. 42% agree with Jo.
In summary
Sometimes time can help heal wounds, but a year of time for The Cursed Child to sit in our heads has not adjusted most people’s feelings on the story. Most people were disappointed in it, and that’s not going to change.
This time a year ago, I thought that J.K. Rowling was going to share more thoughts on the story on Twitter or elsewhere. Though I’m sure she’s adhering to her own #KeepTheSecrets campaign, I feel like she needs to come out and say a few things to help fans have a better view of the story. For example: We need to know for just how long she’s had that whole Voldemort/Bellatrix hookup in her head. It’d also be nice to hear just how involved she was in the story.
I’m surprised by how many people don’t think The Cursed Child is canon, despite Jo herself saying that it is. This illustrates a major fault line within the fandom — for the first time we have an official piece of work that the author is a deep part of, and the fans don’t agree it’s a real part of the Wizarding World.
Stay tuned for another Harry Potter themed article powered by Patreon next week in honor of Philosopher’s Stone’s 20th anniversary!
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