Since October, we’ve known that a new story set in the Harry Potter universe, The Cursed Child, would be coming as a stage play in the summer of 2016. Now, we know just who will be headlining the play.
The Daily Mail is reporting that three actors have been cast as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger: Jamie Parker, Paul Thornley and Noma Dumezweni, respectively.
Here’s our first look at them:
The story, unveiled in October, follows the three characters almost two decades after the end of the final book:
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.
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.
The three lead actors have earned considerable accolades for their work in years past. Jamie Parker (Harry Potter) is best known for his work on The History Boys (working on both the stage production and the film). Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley) has appeared in films such as 2012’s Les Misérables and 2015’s Minions, and on stage with London Road. Noma Dumezweni earned the Laurence Olivier Award for her role in A Raisin in the Sun, and has appeared in a number of additional plays on London’s West End. She also appeared in two episodes of Doctor Who as Captain Erisa Magambo.
Noma Dumezweni’s casting as Hermione has raised some eyebrows, since she’s the first woman of color to play the character. That said, Rowling never really said that Hermione was white, as Alanna Bennett explains in this fantastic piece for Buzzfeed.
The play will be written by J.K. Rowling and Jack Thorne and directed by John Tiffany. It will premiere at the Palace Theatre in London next summer.
[Daily Mail, via Hypeable]