Emma Watson Finally Gives Her Thoughts on the 'Harry Potter' Play's Black Hermione

By
Getty Images

When you think of Hermione Granger, you likely imagine her looking like this:

Like Emma Watson, who played the part for 10 years in eight movies.

But when “the official eighth Potter story,”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, arrives on London’s West End, Hermione will have a new look. And not simply because the story takes place 19 years later, but because Noma Dumezweni will take over the role:

The 45-year-old actress, who was born in Swaziland, South Africa, will play Hermione Weasley in the stage play, alongside Jamie Parker as Harry Potter and Paul Thornley as Ron.


WATCH: 'Fantastic Beasts’ Trailer Invites Fans Back to the Wizarding World

Dumezweni is a more-than-qualified pick -- she won the prestigious Olivier Award in 2005 over Benedict Cumberbatch -- but her skin color still caused controversy when her casting was announced.

Now, Watson has taken to Twitter to give Dumezweni her seal of approval and to say that she “can’t wait” to see the actress as Hermione:

A tweet that Dumezweni later said she “much appreciated.”


NEWS: Here’s the One ‘Harry Potter’ Character J.K. Rowling Regrets Killing


Harry Potter
author J.K. Rowling, who also wrote the short story that inspired the play, previously said that she “loves black Hermione,” noting that, “White skin was never specified.”

As for the frizzy hair that Rowling mentions, well, Watson has made it no secret that she hated that part of playing Hermione. Hopefully Dumezweni fairs better.

Now, find out what Daniel Radcliffe told ET about his plan to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in “heavy disguise”: