Harry Potter is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee and a father of three (which would explain his more realistic look, wrinkles and all).
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This last week before Harry Potter and the Cursed Child comes to the London stage has unveiled cast photos of Jamie Parker, Paul Thornley and others as J.K. Rowling’s famed characters and their children.
It’s a case of childhood lost: Harry Potter’s back. The producers of the play say the story will focus on Harry’s youngest son Albus, the “cursed child” who has to deal with his famous father’s legacy. He is seen wearing Hogwarts robes, and it will make you want to squeal out in excitement!
Getting it “right” was no easy task, Parker says. These are stories that people have lived with for their whole lives, they’ve grown up with and now they’re adults re-joining the tale, picking it up where they left off and I’m one of them. The play also introduces Draco’s son, Scorpius Malfoy, whom we see here as played by Anthony Boyle.
First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Dumezweni, while not directly addressing the criticisms over her casting as Hermione, exclaims, “I am so proud that I am in it”. From the official website, the synopsis reads: “It was always hard 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”. Ron (Paul Thornley), Hermione (Noma Dumezweni) and their daughter Rose (Cherrelle Skeete) look happy in this new family portrait. But that doesn’t mean all fans are on board with the notion of a black actress playing the beloved Hermione Granger in an upcoming Harry Potter play in London.
Ron Weasley, similarly, also has the goofy spark from his character, as well as the orange-ish hair.
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According to J.K. Rowling, “He (Parker) simply is Harry now”. “Paul’s so amusing and brilliant in the role”. Cherrelle plays her perfectly: “bossy but deeply lovable”.
