‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child': Everything You Need to Know (Photos)
Pottermania is back, just not as you once knew it. Nearly a decade after J.K. Rowling completed her epic seven-book series and five years after Daniel Radcliffe ended an eight-film career as The Boy Who Lived, a new chapter in the life of Harry Potter is coming to West End. Entitled “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the two-part play shows how Harry is dealing with being an Auror, father, and the most famous wizard alive. Rowling and her crew have been tight-lipped about what’s next for Harry, but here’s what we know.
Harry will be played by veteran West End actor Jamie Parker, seen here bearing the famous lightning scar. Harry has gone on to become a successful Auror in the Ministry of Magic. But while his scar hasn’t burned once since he defeated Voldemort, his status as Wizard Jesus in the eyes of the magical world won’t allow him to let go of the past.
Potter fans can get a glimpse of Parker’s acting chops in the 2008 film “Valkyrie.” Parker (shown center) starred alongside Tom Cruise as Lt. Werner von Haeften, the right hand man of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, the mastermind of an attempt by German military officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
In a progressive casting move, Hermione Granger will be played by Swaziland-born actress Noma Dumezweni. After the defeat of Lord Voldemort, Hermione returned to Hogwarts to complete her final year of education, and later helped repeal laws that were prejudiced against muggle-born wizards as the Ministry’s Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
In 2006, Dumezweni beat out Benedict Cumberbatch for a Laurence Olivier Award with her supporting role in a West End production of “A Raisin In The Sun.” Three years later, she appeared in the 2009 “Doctor Who” special “Planet of the Dead.” She played Erisa Magambo, a UNIT captain assigned to help the Doctor retrieve a double-decker bus that has fallen through a wormhole with passengers aboard and has landed on a hostile desert planet.
Ron Weasley will be played by Paul Thornley, whose casting has earned some grumbles from Potter fans because Thornley does not have the Weasleys’ trademark deep red hair. Like Harry, Ron has become an Auror at the Ministry, but also has a side job helping his brother George run Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes at Diagon Alley.
Thornley’s most prominent role was in “London Road,” a musical about residents in Ipswich who cope with their little neighborhood becoming the center of media attention following a series of murders and the arrest of the serial killer responsible. Thornley has also had bit roles in “Minions” and the 2012 film adaptation of “Les Miserables.”
Ginny Weasley will be played by Poppy Miller, who recently got a minor role in “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” While Harry gained fame at Hogwarts for catching Golden Snitches on the Quidditch pitch, it was Ginny who turned pro as a seeker for the Holyfield Harpies. In “Cursed Child,” Ginny is now the mother of three children with Harry and the Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet.
Harry and Ginny’s son, Albus Severus, will be played by rising star Sam Clemmett. Clemmett has appeared in the British drama “Foyle’s War,” and has appeared onstage in a theatrical production of “Lord of the Flies.” Named after Snape and Dumbledore, we last saw Albus getting reassured by his dad that there’s no shame in being a Slytherin and that he can join Gryffindor if he truly believes he belongs there.
So what do we know about the story? J.K. Rowling, who wrote the story
