JK Rowling defends casting of black Hermione in the new play

Speaking to the Pottermore website, Rowling added, “I’m so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“. This time, the three wizards-now adults-will be played by Jamie Parker (as Harry), Paul Thornley (Ron), and Noma Dumezweni as Hermione.

Most fans of the Harry Potter world are rejoicing upon learning that the saga will continue in the form of the upcoming play entitled “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“.

Actress Noma Dumezweni, who’s now starring in the play Linda, is taking on Emma Watson’s iconic role as Hermione in the United Kingdom production. Check them out in the photo below, and you can read J.K. Rowling’s response about Hermione Granger’s race being changed from how she was depicted in the films.

Dumezweni hasn’t commented on how it feels to be the new face of Hermione, though she did joke about how quickly her Twitter feed “blew up” following the announcement.

Author of the series J.K Rowling is said to be pleased with the actors selected to play the heroic trio. As she stated, canon never specified skin color. Harry Potter will be played by Jamie Parker, Ron Weasley by Paul Thornley, and in a surprising casting turn, Hermione Granger will be played by Noma Dumezweni.

The stage production, which Rowling has stated is an official sequel to her novels, is a two-part tale that is scheduled to open in London in July. She was born in Swaziland in 1969 to South African parents before moving to England as a child, and has won an Olivier award for best supporting actress in 2006 for A Raisin in the Sun.

Instead, Rowling simply described Hermione’s physical characteristics as a girl with unruly “brown hair” and matching eyes.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the first theatre adaptation, and the eighth story, in the Harry Potter series.