The Harry Potter saga lives on. A new play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — which delves into Potter's life as an adult — . Casting for major characters was announced this week, and Hermione will be played by Noma Dumezweni, a decorated stage veteran who is of South African heritage.
#OWLPOSTALSERVICE SIREN! @MissDumezweni to play HERMIONE in @HPPlayLDN #CursedChild @jk_rowling @SFP_London pic.twitter.com/E8Jkz4Ylyo
— Baz Bamigboye (@BazBam) December 20, 2015
J.K. Rowling applauded the casting of the black actress on Twitter, reminding fans that Hermione's ethnicity was never specified in the books.
Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione 😘 https://t.co/5fKX4InjTH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 21, 2015
Some observers have questionedwhether J.K. Rowling was as open minded about Hermione's race when she penned the seven-book series as she now seems to be, and have taken the author to task for not including more characters of color.
Hermione was played by actress Emma Watson in the eight movies, but some fans online have long imagined Hermione as black.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is not the only new dose of the franchise fans can look forward to. A Harry Potter film prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will be released in November 2016.
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