Towards the tail end of 2015, the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child–the stage play set 19 years after the conclusion of the Harry Potter books–was officially announced. One particular item of note (or one that the Internet seemed to glom onto, that is) was the news that actress Noma Dumezweni would be playing Hermione Granger.
While initial fan responses to the casting were mixed, several actors from the Harry Potter films as well as J.K. Rowling herself have voiced their support over the decision–and now one more cast member is also giving a positive shoutout to Dumezweni.
Emma Watson, who originated the role of Hermione Granger in the films, tweeted her excitement over getting to see the play yesterday:
Can't wait to see Noma Dumezweni as Hermione on stage this year. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #harrypotterandthecursedchild #2016
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) January 2, 2016
She’s not the only Harry Potter star who has extended a warm welcome to the newest members of the story–Matthew Lewis, who played Neville in the movies, also pointed out that in the books, Neville was supposed to be a character with blonde hair.
And Neville Longbottom was blonde. I really don't care. Good luck to her. https://t.co/0JNjK3Pe0V
— ??Matthew Lewis?? (@Mattdavelewis) December 21, 2015
Rowling herself has stated that she never emphasized Hermione’s skin color in the original book series–and the good news is that most of the reactions seem to be leaning toward the positive side. It’s especially encouraging to see that kind of a response from Watson–sort of a passing of the torch, if you will. Or maybe a passing of the wand?
(via Entertainment Weekly)
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