JK ROWLING has slapped down a Twitter user who asked why they “cannot find a good white actress” to play Hermione in the new Harry Potter stage play.
The author replied that they “found the best actress” to play the role before adding “Bye”.
The tweet brought down the wrath of Rowling’s followers with hundreds criticising the hapless @Dan49905785 within an hour.
Dan appeared to be bothered that Hermione is being played by black actress Noma Dumezweni when the role was played by white actress Emma Watson in the movies.
He tweeted Rowling: “It is not about racism. It is just about consistency of the movie. How come you cannot find even a good white actress?”
Rowling replied: “We found the best actress and she’s black. Bye bye, now.”
After the ill-judged tweet, Dan suffered the displeasure of many of JK Rowling’s 7.44 million followers.
@Queen_Seeker said: “What does it really matter? Hermione is still the brightest witch of her age no matter what.”
@LariskaPargitay said: “The book never once mentioned race. Ever. It said she had ‘big bushy hair, brown eyes and buck teeth and that she is the brightest witch of her age. Again, NOTHING about race.”
@MikeNJD tweeted: “Why would there need to be consistency with the movie? This isn’t a movie in that series! Great work, Jo! Now bring it to NYC!”
@thebestbond said: “It’s the right person for the part, the colour of a person’s skin doesn’t matter, what matters is she can do the job.”
Whilst @Va1hallaViking commented: “Imagine actually caring about what skin colour an actor or actress is. They are playing a fictional character.”
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play at the Palace Theatre in London which tells the story of the boy wizard now that he is a grown-up, father-of-three.
The play is based on a new story by Rowling and fellow writers, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany.
Based nineteen years on from the last book, Harry is now working at the Ministry of Magic and focuses on his youngest son Albus’ must with the weight of the family name.
It is presented in two parts which are intended to be seen on the same day or on consecutive nights.
