New cast for Harry Potter; JK Rowling supports black Hermione

The producers of stage play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' have revealed that Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will lead the cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron.

Jack Thorne wrote the play, which is based on a new original story by JK Rowling, Thorne and John Tiffany, who is also the play's director.

The play catches up with Harry as an adult, working for the Ministry of Magic, and 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," according to the production notes.

"As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."

Rowling said: "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."

On Monday she praised the casting of a black actress to play the wizard's sidekick Hermione Granger in a London play based on the saga.

Swaziland-born actress Noma Dumezweni would play the role made famous by Emma Watson in the film series.

Creator Rowling gave her seal of approval in a tweet, writing: "brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione."

However, some Twitter users pointed out lines from "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", in which the character's "white face was sticking out from behind a tree."

On MuggleNet.com, the most popular Harry Potter fansite, Booth Love wrote: "As a 'fan of colour' I see myself reflected plenty in the HP characters, thanks very much".

"We don't need silly little 'concessions' that draw attention to matters of race in literature and entertainment."

Others were unimpressed by the race debate.

"People crying about Hermione's skin colour within a fictional universe where people ride brooms to defy gravity. Stay mad," said Andrien Gbinigie.

Dumezweni won a prestigious Olivier Award, which recognise the stars of London theatre, for her role in the play 'A Raisin in the Sun'. She has also appeared in British TV shows 'Shameless', 'Doctor Who' and 'Eastenders'.

The West End show is written by English screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne and will be produced with Rowling's collaboration.

The play is set 19 years after the conclusion of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - the seventh and final novel of the series - with Harry working for the Ministry of Magic, the government of Britain's Magical community in the saga.

"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," said the play's synopsis.

"As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."

Harry Potter is one of the biggest global publishing successes, with more than 450 million copies sold.

The film versions have also broken records, taking in seven billion dollars at the box office.

The play, which is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, will receive its world premiere at London's Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016.

Further casting for the company of more than 30 will be announced at a later date.

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