As the day of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child draws nearer, a mix of nostalgia and happiness do a hula hoop inside us, to create a concoction of weird anticipation. For us, the dedicated potterheads who followed the series from start to end, revered every merchandise and newspaper clipping, and watched every movie, this is indeed a very big moment, the story of 19 years after. So you can imagine our excitement when we came across the first official pictures of the play that were released. But was the magical continuation worth the wait? Read on to find out?
These first looks were that of the Potter family, at least half family, 19 years after the Hogwarts battle. We see an aged Harry and Ginny, along with their youngest son, Albus. Jamie Parker looks resplendent as elder Harry Potter, while Poppy Miller shines as the older version of Ginny Weasley. Sam Clemmett looks picture perfect as the boy we hoped to be Albus Severus Potter.
Take a look at the pictures now, and go back to those memories of Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione; of the mysterious passages and tedious expeditions, endless adventures, and one story, that bound us all.
Now that we are over the awesomeness that the 19-year-old, 3/5 Potter family is oozing, let’s move on to the 3/4 Weasleys. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the portraits of Ron, Hermione, and Rose Weasley are out too, and we are thrilled, but not so much.
The second look features Paul Thorney as Ron Weasley, Noma Dumezweni as Hermione Granger, and Cherrelle Skeete as their daughter Rose Weasley.
While we were simply exhilarated despite our doubts of how new actors will step into the legacy of Daniel Radcliff and Bonnie Wright, we were simply exhilarated at the look of them as they looked a perfect older version. However, we are a bit confused as far as the Weasleys are concerned.
First thing, we are not being racist here, but Hermione has always been Emma Watson for us, or even if not, she has been a bushy-haired, buck-toothed, awkward and freckled pale girl who blossoms with time. So after two decades of believing and imagining her to be so, thanks to the movies too, it is hard to digest her as dark skinned. For the record, if she had been one right from the start, we, as hardcore Potterheads, would not be writing this.
Anyway, it is too soon to judge or say anything. For now, let’s all rejoice as the much-awaited play is soon going to be in theaters, and we would get to read the paperbacks too.
Take a look at the Weasleys
What do you think of the new “19-years-later” cast? Do let us know in the comments below.
Author: Kadambari Srivastava
