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‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ Casts Black Actress as Hermione: J.K. Rowling ‘Loves’ It!

Noma Dumezweni
Noma Dumezweni

Lumos! A black actress, Noma Dumezweniwas announced on Sunday, December 20, as the new Hermione Granger in the upcoming London theatrical production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — and J.K. Rowling is beyond pleased.

The Harry Potter series creator, 50, excitedly took to her Twitter shortly after the news was announced and shut down any racist outcry. A reader brought up the casting in a Twitter thread, and wrote: “Like. Especially Rowling. How does she feel about black Hermione. I need to know.”

Though the person did not tag the author herself, Rowling replied directly to the fan.

Granger was previously portrayed by Caucasian actress Emma Watson in the eight Harry Potter films. However, as Rowling states, the character’s ethnicity and background were never specified in the books. Instead, Rowling simply described Hermione’s physical characteristics as a girl with unruly “brown hair” and matching eyes.

Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint
J.K. Rowling with original Harry Potter caste members Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

Meanwhile, Dumezweni, a Swaziland native, reacted to her casting news on Sunday via Twitter.

The play itself, written by Jack Thorne, will show the three central characters of the series, Harry Potter, Hermione, and Ron Weasley, working into adulthood at the wild Ministry of Magic. Guys and Dolls actor Jamie Parker will portray the adult version of Potter, while London Road actor Paul Thornley will play Potter’s best friend, Weasley.

The Potter play will open on July 30, 2016, at the Palace Theatre in London.

 

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