Long beforeDavid Yates’Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themhits theaters next November, the Wizarding World ofJ.K. Rowling’s"Harry Potter" will come to life in a London stage play. Written byJack Thorne, and based on an original tale from Rowling, Thorne andJohn Tiffany, the two-part play titledHarry Potter and the Cursed Childfinds the title hero as a middle-aged employee of the Ministry of Magic.
As such, the actors cast to play Harry and his friends are a bit older than the sort you’d find studying at Hogwarts. As announced on theplay’s website,Jamie Parker,Noma DumezweniandPaul Thornleywill lead the cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron; an additional cast of more than 30 roles will be announced in the near future. Tiffany will direct the two-part show when it premieres at the Palace Theatre next summer;get your tickets here!
Here’s the official synopsis forHarry Potter and the Cursed Child:
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.
Now, as you might expect, some folks are confused by Dumezweni’s casting as Hermione and even Thornley’s role as Ron simply because their appearances don’t match up withHarry Potterfans preconceived notions. I’ll put my faith in the casting directors that they’ve found the best actors for the role and not just the best faces for the fans. Here’s a look at the casting announcements and confirmation with reactions from Rowling herself and evenMatthew Lewisaka Neville Longbottom:
For more onHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, be sure to get caught up on our recent coverage provided at the following links:
