In 2001, actress Emma Watson brought to life the frizzy haired, clever, white female wizarding student Hermione Granger. Except here's the thing, never in the books does it mention her skin color. So when it was announced that the part of Hermione Granger in the upcoming stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" would be Noma Dumezweni, an award-winning actress who happens to be black, fans took to Twitter for response from J.K. Rowling herself. And her response couldn't be more perfect.
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
Well, there you have it — from the mouth of the Harry Potter creator herself. I do have to ask, however, why the need for the "black" clarifier? I'd much prefer her refer to her as "adult" Hermione, and leave color completely out of the topic of conversation. After all, isn't that what we're striving for?
Speaking to the Pottermore website, Rowling added, "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."
Noma Dumezweni recently received rave reviews for her performance in Penelope Skinner's "Linda" at the Royal Court. She's also starred in both "The Winter's Tale" and "Romeo and Juliet" for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her Olivier Award for Best Performance in Supporting Role came when she played Ruth Younger in "A Raisin In The Sun." So yea, I would say she's more than qualified to play "adult" Hermione Granger.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up the story where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows left off, with Harry an adult employee of the Ministry of Magic. Here's the synopsis.
"It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."
