JK Rowling apologises for killing off Remus Lupin in Harry Potter (2024)

JK Rowling has apologised for killing off Remus Lupin, a favourite of Harry Potter fans, in the final book.

The author, who has previously said sorry on 2 May, the date on which the fictional “battle of Hogwarts” took place 18 years ago, for the death of popular characters such as Fred Weasley, said she “didn’t enjoy doing it” in reference to Lupin.

Once again, it's the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts so, as promised, I shall apologise for a death. This year: Remus Lupin.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016

In the interests of total honesty I'd also like to confess that I didn't decide to kill Lupin until I wrote Order if the Phoenix.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016

Arthur lived, so Lupin had to die. I'm sorry. I didn't enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy. 😢

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016

Rowling has previously admitted that she planned for Ron Weasley’s father, Arthur, to die in the final battle, but he was spared in place of Lupin and his wife, Nymphadora Tonks.

Lupin, played in the films by David Thewlis, was murdered in the battle by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov, while Tonks was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange, leaving their son, Teddy, an orphan.

Lupin’s death is a sore spot for many fans, who fell in love with the werewolf, nicknamed Moony. Lupin was one of the Marauders at Hogwarts alongside James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.

Rowling told one fan, who tweeted that Lupin “is and always will be my favourite character in the Harry Potter universe”, that it was “the best tribute he could have”.

JK Rowling apologises for killing off Remus Lupin in Harry Potter (2024)

FAQs

JK Rowling apologises for killing off Remus Lupin in Harry Potter? ›

“I'm sorry. I didn't enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy,” she wrote, referring to Lupin's infant son with fellow wizard Nymphadora Tonks. Rowling killed off both in the climactic battle to defeat Voldemort, leaving Teddy orphaned.

Who did JK Rowling apologize for killing? ›

In past years, Rowling has apologized for the deaths of redeemed villain-turned-antihero Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, and lovable fan favorite Fred Weasley. Read her message below: It's that anniversary again.

Why was Lupin so miserable in Deathly Hallows? ›

Lupin, however, was left lonely and unhappy — two of his three best friends were dead, one was imprisoned for mass murder, his mother had eventually died too, and he refused to spoil his father's peaceful existence by returning to live with him.

Why didn t Remus raise Harry? ›

As a single werewolf, it is understandable that Remus could not take care of Harry after his parents died. It's also possible he was not informed where Harry was placed and thus couldn't write to him in his early years at the Dursleys.

Whose death influenced JK Rowling? ›

Her mother's death heavily affected Rowling's writing. She later said that her literary creation of the Mirror of Erised is about her mother's death, and noted an "evident parallelism" between Harry confronting his own mortality and her life.

Who tried to sue JK Rowling? ›

Stouffer lost her case, but more recently, the estate of the late author Adrian Jacobs sued Rowling for copyright infringement, alleging that plot points and characters in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” were stolen from Jacobs' book “The Adventures of Willy the Wizard: No.

Did J.K. Rowling say Draco likes Hermione? ›

In Harry Potter, JK Rowling confirmed that Draco was actually in love with Hermione but didn't know how to fully express his emotions.

Has J.K. Rowling done anything other than Harry Potter? ›

In addition, Rowling wrote the companion volumes Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them (2001), which was adapted into a film series (2016, 2018) that featured screenplays by Rowling; Quidditch Through the Ages (2001); and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008)—all of which originated as books read by Harry Potter and his ...

Did J.K. Rowling keep the rights to Harry Potter? ›

Yes Warner Bros. owns the film rights to the Harry Potter movie series, but the character rights are entirely owned by Rowling. Because of this, Warner Bros. cannot use the characters in any other story or further the HP universe in any way we would recognize.

Did Remus apologize to Harry? ›

Harry apologizes to them all for their deaths, most especially to Lupin, for he would no longer have a chance to raise his son. Lupin tells Harry that he is sorry too, but also that his son will know what his father died for - a world in which his son would lead a happier life - and hopes that he will understand.

What is the age gap between Tonks and Lupin? ›

Awful Together: There Is A Large Age Gap Between Them

There is about 13 years between the two of them.

How old was Lupin when he died? ›

As Harry would have turned eighteen in the year of the Battle of Hogwarts, and being a late summer baby, we could assume most others had their birthdays before him, that would mean Lupin was 38 when he died.

Why did Azkaban not affect Sirius? ›

Sirius states that unlike most other Azkaban prisoners (who often became insane during their terms of imprisonment), he was able to keep his sanity because he knew he was innocent, and also used his Animagus form to ward off the Dementors, who are unable to perceive unsophisticated canine minds.

Why did Remus reject Tonks? ›

At some point before the summer of 1996, Tonks fell deeply in love with Remus. Although he returned her feelings he refused to become involved with her. He claimed that he was too poor, too old, and too dangerous for her, despite her repeatedly telling him that his lycanthropy did not matter to her.

Why did Snape save Remus? ›

Remus was a fellow order member who was important. Snape wouldn't let Lupin die, not when he sees so many people whom he can't save die on a daily basis.

How did JK Rowling get found out as Robert Galbraith? ›

Rowling's secret identity was actually revealed after a partner at a law firm told his wife's best friend. The friend then revealed Rowling's identity to a Sunday Times journalist. "I was a bit unlucky the way it happened," the Harry Potter creator told BBC Radio 2's Graham Norton.

Does JK Rowling get death threats? ›

Explaining how many death threats she's received the 56-year-old writer said, “I could paper the house with them." Rowling said that she and other women who have spoken out on gender issues have faced "campaigns of intimidation", stalking and harassment, but vowed she would not be silenced.

Why was Arthur Weasley attacked? ›

While Arthur Weasley was guarding the door to the Department of Mysteries for the Order of the Phoenix, as the Order had anticipated that Voldemort would attempt to retrieve the prophecy and hear it in its entirety, Arthur fell asleep, and was attacked by Voldemort's snake, Nagini.

What happened to Arthur Weasley in Order of the Phoenix? ›

One night, while guarding the Hall of Prophecy for the Order of the Phoenix, Arthur was attacked by Voldemort's snake Nagini; the attack was witnessed by Harry, through his mental connection with the Dark Lord. Critically injured, Arthur was taken to St Mungo's.

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