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The Associated Press

J.K. Rowling defends casting of black Hermione in new 'Harry Potter' play

Actors John Marquez and Noma Dumezweni
Actors John Marquez and Noma Dumezweni attend a theater event in West Sussex, England. Dumezweni has been cast as Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."
Steve Finn | Getty Images 2004

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

The best-selling author of the "Harry Potter" books 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.

Rowling said on Twitter that the character's skin color 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.

The play, based on a new story by Rowling and others, opens July 30.