Award Winning actress, Noma Dumezweni, was selected to fulfill the role of Hermione in the stage play of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, and since the huge announcement of an African American woman filling the lead role, some of the more critical Harry Potter fans have not been pleased.
Critics pointed out the film’s portrayal of the character was played by Emma Watson and believe a PC culture is clouding the entertainment business’ position, causing them to hire black actors for white roles. We experienced this earlier in the year when Michael B. Jordan was cast to play the role of Johnny Storm in an upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
Despite criticism on social media, Rowling showed support of Dumezweni and her role as Hermione in the stage play. “Cannon: brown eyes, frizzy hair, and very clever. White skin was never specified,” Rowling tweeted in response to a fan who asked how she felt about a black lead. “Rowling loves black Hermione.”
When asked why a black Hermione wasn’t cast in the Harry Potter films, Rowling responded, “Writers. Don’t. Cast. Movies. Ask. John. Green.”
Dumezweni will be joining Jaime Parker and Paul Thornley in London on the stage for the play highlighting the two stories (Part I & Part II). Seems as though the angry Harry Potter fans will have to get over it.
