Arguably the biggest casting announcement in the theatre world for years took place over the weekend as it was announced who would play the roles of a grown up Harry, Hermione and Ron in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Cast from left to right; Paul Thornley, Noma Dumezweni and Jamie Parker
The man who will embody an adult Harry Potter is Jamie Parker whose film and TV credits include The Lady in the Van, Valkyrie, The History Boys, The Hour and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Parker is a stage veteran and is currently appearing as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at London’s Savoy Theater.
Noma Dumezweni is playing Hermione. Her film and TV credits range from Dirty Pretty Things and Macbeth to Dr. Who, Summerhill, EastEnders and Fallout.
Paul Thornley is playing Ron. His film and TV credits include the new Sacha Baron Cohen film Grimsby, Les Miserables and Life Begins.
According to the casting announcement, Parker will be playing a world weary Potter, worn down by adult real world problems:
“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.”
It will be interesting to see how this stage version of Harry Potter's world is received. Is it really that interesting to watch "the chosen one" live their life after they've already done what they were chosen to do?
Who are we kidding? It's going to make mega bucks because it's Harry Potter.
Via Vulture