When Noma Dumezweni was cast as the next Hermione Granger in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, it turned a few heads to say the least.
But now Emma Watson has spoken for the first time on the decision to cast a black Hermione, and it seems Dumezweni has the support of the original Miss Granger herself.
Watson first took on the role of Hermione in the Harry Potter film franchise. She tweeted out her excitement to see the Swaziland-born actress fill the shoes of Hermione Granger.
Can’t wait to see Noma Dumezweni as Hermione on stage this year. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #harrypotterandthecursedchild #2016
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) January 2, 2016
Dumezweni took to Twitter to thank Watson for her support.
Thank You Miss Watson! Much appreciated. I look forward to experiencing #Hermione too. Blessings Abound to you. N🤗x! https://t.co/9l5ZtNhHKX
— N O M A (@MissDumezweni) January 3, 2016
“I look forward to experiencing #Hermione too. Blessings Abound to you,” Dumezweni wrote.
J.K. Rowling tweeted her support for Dumezweni after the casting decision was announced late last year. The Harry Potter author said Hermione’s “white skin was never specified” and that she loved black Hermione.
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
Other Harry Potter actors have also tweeted their support for Dumezweni.
Evanna Lynch and Matthew Lewis, who played Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom respectively, have both said it didn’t matter that they looked different to their described book counterparts.
Tbh new Hermione is black, Harry looks like Ron, when I was cast ppl complained about my HAIR & it is people’s❤️ NOT their looks that matter
— Evanna Lynch (@Evy_Lynch) 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
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play taking place 19 years after the final book. Harry is an overworked Ministry of Magic employee and the father to three school-aged children. In particular, his son Albus is struggling with the weight of the Potter family legacy.
Dumezweni will be joined by Jamie Parker as Harry Potter and Paul Thornley as Ron Weasley.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was written by Jack Thorne in collaboration with J.K. Rowling, and will be directed by John Tiffany.
The play will begin its run on London’s West End in summer 2016.
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