‘Harry Potter’ Actress Emma Watson ‘Can’t Wait To See’ Noma Dumezweni As Hermione
Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who played the role of Hermione Granger, is fully endorsing the casting of Noma Dumezweni as the adult Hermione in the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. As a matter of fact, Watson announced that she “can’t wait to see” Dumezweni as Hermione.
Sharing her excitement on Twitter on January 2, Emma tweeted, “Can’t wait to see Noma Dumezweni as Hermione on stage this year.”
Can’t wait to see Noma Dumezweni as Hermione on stage this year. ?????????????????????????? #harrypotterandthecursedchild #2016
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) January 2, 2016
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, told fansite Pottermore last month she’s “excited” with the casting for the upcoming stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
“I’m so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can’t wait to see Jamie, Noma, and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer.”
Immediately following the announcement last month that Swaziland-born actress Noma Dumezweni was chosen to play an adult Hermione, equal parts outrage and support broke out across social media. Some fans said they didn’t see Hermione as a black person, and that the role of the character should not have been given to a black actress.
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
These same Harry Potter fans claimed they were unhappy with the casting because they were disappointed that the new Hermione doesn’t look like the Hermione Emma Watson played. Many reactions on Twitter were downright racist.
@WhoPotterVian Putting “Not being racist but” before a sentence doesn’t stop it being offensive..
— Kevin Moss (@KMoss1000) December 21, 2015
@HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling wait. Black Hermione? Are you kidding? Makes no sense.
— Olao (@Olua_AO) December 21, 2015
@HPPlayLDN can everyone just imagine if they had cast dean as white? people would be mad. but its not okay to be mad about a black hermione?
— Verified Swifty© (@LuvForTaylor) December 21, 2015
While there were negative reactions, there were many fans who did embrace the Harry Potter casting news.
@HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling Fans can support Hermione when persecuted for being a ‘mudblood’ but not when portrayed by a black actor #lovenoma
— Lee Croft (@LeemCroft) December 21, 2015
@luisopimentel yeah, this play follows the books, not the movies, and her skincolour is never mentioned in those so yay for diversity!
— Hopeless wanderer (@itsrouchus) December 21, 2015
J.K. Rowling supported the casting of the new Hermione right away as she made clear in her interview with Pottermore and took to Twitter herself to shut down the haters, writing, “Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione.”
Rowling also retweeted this fan art of Hermione.
Some of my favourite Hermione fanarts next to our new Hermione! pic.twitter.com/80bIkcLBMJ
— alice (@alwaysdragxns) December 20, 2015
Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom in the films, also went on Twitter to express his anger and disgust with some of the hateful reactions from the casting news.
“And Neville Longbottom was blonde. I really don’t care. Good luck to her,” Lewis wrote, referring to his physical differences from the character in the book.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place 19 years after the ending of the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling developed the story for the play with Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stars Hermione, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley as adults who are working for the Ministry of Magic.
While Harry Potter fans may not recognize any of the actors cast as these famous characters, they have acted in previous roles. Guys and Dolls star Jamie Parker was cast to play Harry Potter, and London Road actor Paul Thornley is set to play Ron Weasley. Noma Dumezweni is a Laurence Olivier Award-winning actress, Uproxx reports.
Director John Tiffany said he simply cast the best actors and that they “will be an incredible and estimable triumvirate.”
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens in London on June 7.
[Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]
