Find Out Why J.K. Rowling's Latest Project Left Her in Tears

And why her fans didn't feel the same

By Seija Rankin Mar 02, 2015 11:13 PMTags
The Casual VacancyLittle, Brown and Company

We know what you're thinking, and no, this is not about Snape or Dumbledore.

Yes, J.K. Rowling had a good cry over a project, but this time around it had nothing to with the Harry Potter series. Instead, she was moved to tears by the BBC adaptation of her novel The Casual Vacancy. The book was developed as a three-part series and the finale just aired for UK audiences on BBC One last night. Immediately after the show wrapped up, Rowling, who had a hand in the making of the miniseries, tweeted her emotional reaction.

The author didn't elaborate on whether she choked up because she was happy to see the show come to life onscreen, or if the actual material itself got her a little misty-eyed. But, if it's the latter, she might be in the minority—many viewers of the BBC One adapation were upset that the network altered the plot of the namesake book.

The Casual Vacancy follows the citizens of Pagford, a small English village, after the suddon death of a city council member. Turmoil is rife in the novel, from destructive marriages and relationships to political corruption. But, the writers for the BBC version edited out the original ending to make the entire film less bleak and grim, and that totally threw fans for a loop. It seems they weren't quite as moved as the book's author. 

J.K. Rowling hasn't replied to any of the despondent tweets yet, but we have to imagine she had a good reason for the plot change. And, we'll all get to decide for ourselves if the TV version is worthy of our tears—The Casual Vacancy is coming to HBO on April 29.

As long as we don't have to relive Snape or Dumbledore's deaths, we're all set.