Magic is colorblind: ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ casts a black Hermione

The cast that will portray the middle-aged versions of the heroes of Hogwarts in the much-anticipated "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" musical have been announced, and it comes with a small twist: a black Hermione

Noma Dumezweni, 45, has been cast as the heroine, according to The Daily Mail, and in the play is still married to Ron Weasley, portrayed by Paul Thornley. Jamie Parker, 36, has been cast as the titular wizard.

Harry, Ron and Hermione has been cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in London. Wait, WHAT !! #Hermione pic.twitter.com/SNsRdBGYmw

— Bhargav Lumpatki (@Brain3ater) December 21, 2015

Dumezweni's career is full of accolades, including the 2006 Olivier Award for "Best performer in a supporting role" for her portrayal of Ruth Younger in a production of Raisin in the Sun. Thornley has appeared on London Road and recently had small roles in the 2012 film version of Les Miserables and even a voice credit in Minions. Parker has appeared in The History Boys,Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and Proof, among other productions.

The play's director, John Tiffany, told the Mail it was simply about getting the best available actors for the role. As for Hermione's ethnicity, it's never directly addressed in the books, as the Mail is quick to point out.

And fans of the franchise were quick to take to social media to celebrate — and criticize — the choice.

My president and my Hermione are both black lol yasss

— alexis nedd (@alexisthenedd) December 20, 2015

https://twitter.com/QueerDiscOx/status/678712712784912384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

BLACK HERMIONE IS CANON

— Carly LaForge (@carlylane) December 20, 2015

Alanna Bennett, who has eloquently written about race and Hermione in the past, was also thrilled with the casting choice.

Damn between Star Wars and a black Hermione it's a pretty stellar week for PoC in huge landmark cultural events.

— Alanna Bennett (@AlannaBennett) December 20, 2015

Of course, not everyone was happy about the choice. And those people shared their feelings publicly, because it's the Internet.

The fact that they just changed Hermione's whole race in the Cursed Child to where she looks nowhere similar pisses me off

— Tim (@timvjohnson) December 21, 2015

@jk_rowling we got a black hermione ,does this mean hagrid will become tiny,harry will become Turkish , cho will be white and luna,korean?

— michelle (@1006michelle) December 21, 2015

The flipping of the race of characters has been something of a trend lately as creators of pop culture try to craft stories that more closely resemble the diversity in the real world. Most notable has been Mashable favorite Hamilton, Lin Manuel-Miranda's historical musical about Alexander Hamilton that features several actors of color in prominent roles.

Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has yet to weigh in but, if history is any indication, she will soon.

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