J.K. Rowling defends casting of black Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

A black actress playing Hermione Granger? J.K. Rowling has no problem with that.

The bestselling author of the Harry Potterbooks has responded to mixed reactions after the cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child a new London play featuring Harry as an adult was announced Monday.

The role of Hermione, made famous in the film versions by Emma Watson, will be played by Swaziland-born actress Noma Dumezweni.Jamie Parker will portray title character Harry Potter, whilePaul Thornleywill play Ron Weasley, taking over from film series starsDaniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, respectively.

"I'mso excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can't wait to see Jamie,Nomaand Paul bring the adult Harry,Hermioneand Ron to life on stage next summer,"Rowlingsaid in an interview with herPottermore website.

Responding to some negative reaction of Dumezweni'scasting,theauthor added, onTwitter, that the character's skin colour had in fact never been specified in the books. "Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione," she wrote, adding a kissing emoji at the end.

Some of the actors from the film series also deflected negative reactions via social media, including Evanna Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood, and Matthew Lewis, who portrayed Neville Longbottom.

Based on an original new story by Rowling, Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Childwill premiere inLondon's West End thissummer.

The first official Harry Potter tale to be presented onstage, The Cursed Child continues the wizardworld sagaRowlingcreated in her blockbuster novel series. It picks up with adult andfather-of-three Harryat the end of the final film. According to the play's synopsis:

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

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens atPalace Theatre in London onJuly 30.