The cast of JK Rowling's much-anticipated Harry Potter stage play has been revealed - and it's not what the fans expected.
Pottermore confirmed this morning that Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will play Harry, Hermione and Ron in the two-part play which opens in London's Palace Theatre next summer.
The lead actors are cast for @HPPlayLDN! Here’s what @jk_rowling had to say: https://t.co/PDkUmP3jdr #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/RmfJO7lZ3k
— Pottermore (@pottermore) December 21, 2015
JK Rowling told Pottermore: "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."
However, the decision to cast Dumezweni, an actress of South African heritage has caused a debate on social media.
Emma Watson played Hermione in the Harry Potter films alongside Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe.
@pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling Herimone Granger is WHITE!!!
— Kyle Jung Mun Lim (@Goslingsawagrin) December 21, 2015
@pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling why is Hermione Black? SHE IS NOT BLACK!!!
— packergirl (@p9cker_girl) December 21, 2015
@pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling I've officially lost interest in the Play. Not the actors fault but fault of who politically cast them.
— David Baptista Silva (@DBaptistaSilva) December 21, 2015
@susanna_brondi @pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling I know Herimone is white not black
— Kyle Jung Mun Lim (@Goslingsawagrin) December 21, 2015
However, other Twiter users were quick to point out that Hermione's ethnicity is never specified in the Harry Potter books.
@RoroArguelles01 @pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling The books never specify her ethnicity.
— ⚯͛ whimsisicle ⚯͛ (@whimsium) December 21, 2015
@Goslingsawagrin @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling Hermione's ethnicity is never mentioned. With her hair and "very brown" skin, she's definitely POC.
— Tanvi Berwah (@xginnyx) December 21, 2015
@pottermore @HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling I think it's amazing hermione was cast as a black woman. It does nothing to take away from the character
— a i l e n e (@tvtaughtmehow) 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
@HPPlayLDN @jk_rowling Soooo exciting. Love this cast. Hope it gets officially recorded bc I don't know if I can make it to London. :P
— Nick (@duckumu) December 21, 2015
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne is based on a new and original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany.
The two-part play, which is a sequel to the Harry Potter books, will tell the "untold part" of the boy wizard's story, including the story of the lives of his murdered parents.
Previews for the play begin at London's Palace Theatre on June 7 2016.
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