JK Rowling defends casting of black actress as Hermione from Harry Potter
Author JK Rowling has defended the casting of a black actress as Hermione in an upcoming Harry Potter play.
After the internet responded with bafflement to the casting, Rowling reminded fans that the character’s race was never defined in the books, even though fans did point out that there was a reference to Hermione’s "white face" in 'The Prisoner of Azkaban.'
We’re thrilled to confirm Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni & Paul Thornley will play Harry, Hermione & Ron #CursedChildpic.twitter.com/s1rsDbrXMO
— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) December 21, 2015
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
>white skin was never specified pic.twitter.com/xFAp89vJFJ
— Anime American (@mylittlepwnies3) December 21, 2015
The character, who was played by white actress Emma Watson in the film series, will appear in a sequel play entitled "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in 2016. Laurence Olivier Award winner Noma Dumezweni was cast in the role alongside Paul Thornley as one of the fiction’s most famous gingers, Ron Weasley.
Thornley’s lack of red hair has failed to attract as much attention as Dumezewni’s casting, co-writer Jack Thorne joked on twitter.
Noma, Jamie & Paul will be the most brilliant three. We're very lucky to have them. And to assure all doubters - Paul is ginger in his soul.
— Jack Thorne (@jackthorne) December 21, 2015
Dumezewni, 45, was born in Swaziland and moved to England as a child. In 2005 her performance in "A Raisin in the Sun" earned her an Olivier award for best actress in a supporting role. Some Potter fans have taken offense to the change, citing continuity, not racism, as a reason.
In a play set to feature wizards and magic, the casting is being blamed as detracting from the story’s credibility.
@HPPlayLDN Not being racist but how can a black woman play Hermione? This play has lost all credibility.
— Agent S(ean Bassett) (@WhoPotterVian) December 21, 2015
Interesting that some people find a black Hermione Granger harder to believe in than, you know, magic spells...
— Mr HoHoHoldfield (@MrLROldfield) December 20, 2015
The play is set 19 years after the books ended and features actor Jamie Parker as an older Harry Potter, disillusioned with his desk job in the Ministry of Magic. Tickets for the play sold out in less than an hour, with many disappointed at missing out due to technical issues with the ticketing website. Tickets are now fetching up to £1,500 online.
#StubHub prices for sold out #HarryPotterAndTheCursedChild play up to £1,500 pic.twitter.com/1PuyrJL6FQ
— Colm McGlinchey (@ColmMcGlinchey) December 21, 2015
Rowling will co-write the play, which will be divided into two parts. The author retweeted the below Hermione fan art after responses to the casting choice.
Some of my favourite Hermione fanarts next to our new Hermione! pic.twitter.com/80bIkcLBMJ
— alice in wonderland (@alwaysdragxns) December 20, 2015