J.K. Rowling addressed the criticism surrounding the selection of Black British actress Noma Dumezweni for the role of the brainy Hermione Granger in the London theater production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, who was portrayed by Emma Watson for eight films “I had a bunch of racists telling me that because Hermione ‘turned white’ — that is lost color from her face after a shock — that she must be a white woman which I have a great deal of difficulty with,” Rowling said. “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.
