Jk rowling hits back at ‘racists’ after casting of black hermione

Emma Watson, who played the character in the eight Harry Potter films made between 2001 and 2011, gave her support to the actress. She said: “Can't wait to see Noma Dumezweni as

Hermione on stage this year.” But while the vast majority of people responded positively to the casting decision, others lashed out saying Hermione could not be black. Rowling said: “I had a

bunch of racists telling me that because Hermione ‘turned white’ – that is, lost colour from her face after a shock – that she must be a white woman, which I have a great deal of difficulty

with. “But I decided not to get too agitated about it and simply state quite firmly that Hermione can be a black woman with my absolute blessing and enthusiasm.” Director John Tiffany also

hit back at critics, saying he was "shocked people couldn't visualise a non-white person as the hero of a story". Another black actor, Cherrelle Skeete, plays Rose

Granger-Weasley, daughter of Hermione and Harry's best friend Ron Weasley. The play, the eighth story and the first to be presented on stage, sees Harry Potter as a husband and father

of three school-age children, with a job working for the Ministry of Magic. Rowling said she was "hopeful" that further story details would remain unrevealed ahead of the

plays' official opening on 30 July. She added: ”I hope we get there without any major spoilers, purely because people will have an amazing experience if they don't know what's

coming." Ticket holders have been asked to arrive early at performances due to the tight security procedures that will be in place.