The Casual Vacancy is the title of the highly anticipated novel by J.K. Rowling following the success of her Harry Potter series. It was revealed by publishing house Little, Brown & Co in February 2012 that a new book would be written, and on 12 April 2012, the title of the novel was announced and that it will be released on 27 September 2012.

The Casual Vacancy is completely removed from the Harry Potter universe and is aimed at the adult market, rather than at young adults. The plot focuses on the death of Barry Fairweather and the village of Pagford, and how the villagers deal with his death.

It was announced in December 2012 that the novel will be dramatised for a BBC television adaptation which is expected to air in 2014.