LONDON -- It's only been a matter of hours since the news of who will be playing Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play was revealed, and the announcement has already drummed up a huge amount of discussion on social media.
45-year-old British actress Noma Dumezweni, who's previously appeared on both screen and stage and who won an Olivier Award in 2006, has been cast as Hermione Granger. A large amount of the discussion on Twitter has centred on the decision to cast a black actress in a role originally portrayed by a Emma Watson in the films.
We’re thrilled to confirm Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni & Paul Thornley will play Harry, Hermione & Ron #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/s1rsDbrXMO— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) December 21, 2015
People have been quick to shut down anyone speaking negatively about the casting decision.
I love how Hermione being black is somehow more implausible to some people than a universe where the entire postal system depends on owls— Snukes (@QueerDiscOx) December 20, 2015
DEAR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ARGUE ABOUT A BLACK HERMIONE GRANGER, just don't.— Katherine Locke (@Bibliogato) December 20, 2015
J.K. Rowling, who retweeted the casting news on Monday, has been receiving questions from fans all morning on Twitter, asking her to share her thoughts on the casting news.
@goldregulus like. especially rowling. how does she feel about black hermione. i need to know.— ayan. (@mauvedust) December 13, 2015
Here's her response.
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
She's since retweeted this epic fan art, too.
Some of my favourite Hermione fanarts next to our new Hermione! pic.twitter.com/80bIkcLBMJ— alice (@alwaysdragxns) December 20, 2015
UPDATED 21 DECEMBER 13:40: Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, has also shared his thoughts on Twitter.
@Mattdavelewis @TomFelton thoughts on woman of colour being cast as Hermione? No continuity https://t.co/tAxzEWXoIe pic.twitter.com/AkxDaOKGMK— Michelle Brodie (@mml_brodie) December 21, 2015
And Neville Longbottom was blonde. I really don't care. Good luck to her. https://t.co/0JNjK3Pe0V— Matthew Lewis (@Mattdavelewis) December 21, 2015