Harry Potter, a series known for its message of pro-equality, is currently facing some backlash following the announcement that award-winning actress Noma Dumezweni will be playing an older Hermione Granger in the upcoming West End play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The perceived issue regarding Dumezweni’s casting is that she is a black woman, with Hermione being a white character in both the novels and the film series. This is an issue because in a world of wizardry and witchcraft, a character’s skin colour changing is obviously the most preposterous thing that could ever possibly happen in the Harry Potter series.
Author J.K. Rowling has spoken out in defence of Dumezweni playing the part of Hermione, posting a series of tweets supporting the actress.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 22, 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
While eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that Hermione’s white skin is referenced in the books, it hardly matters considering, y’know, her literal creator has given the thumbs-up to the casting decision. That’s worth a considerable amount more than a bunch of inordinately enraged white folk shaking their fists in disgust, as they’re forced to contend with the fact that there’s now one less white character in a sea of white characters.
And Neville Longbottom was blonde. I really don’t care. Good luck to her. https://t.co/0JNjK3Pe0V
— Matthew Lewis (@Mattdavelewis) December 21, 2015
