Harry Potter open casting call

I hate the idea of them making major visual changes to the book's appearance. Why can't they just stick to it? Colour blind casting is brilliant for things like live theatre where there is a different "suspension of disbelief" component while you are physically present, and also very good for new, fresh material shows. I'm definitely not against it as a general practice! But when adapting a beloved and widely known existing universe, just use the visual appearance that the (many, many, many) fans already know and love. By which I mean the books, of course, not earlier actors from different versions.

@sunflowerdaisyrose oh like what?

@Chawklit1 that's interesting to know there's been call backs in person. I would imagine they weren't meant to tell anyone ? But it gives the rest of us an idea who submitted and didn't hear back

I know one child who has been selected for a call back in person for Hermione and she is white . It’s not a secret either as they are telling people but not posting it on social media . This is in Ireland . I don’t think Hermione will be black this time , too obvious. One of the other leads will probably change . I saw cryptic messages from a mom whose child is an Asian boy saying he had a callback too . It was obvious it was the series . They are both 9 .

Ron is ginger. So white. Harry has bright green eyes. We know his mum was white (ginger hair, green eyes) and his dad is never described in much detail, but I think has hazel eyes. Hermione is described as having a "white face" at one point, so also white.

There are definitely issues with making Hermione black, as in the cursed child plays, because of the mudblood slur.

Draco is possible, but again is described as pale a lot, but the Malfoys are pretty awful people -would they want to colour swap any of the "baddies" to non-white characters?

The only issue with them having a non-white Hermione is that she's actively discriminated against and called slurs in the books, and I think it would have to be handled really carefully to distinguish her muggleborn status from race with slurs like mudblood bandied around. But yes, I'm pro colourblind casting.

I doubt they would make Draco another colour. I think they will go with Hermione being black again as that's already been done and is a 'safe' option.

You're right that it doesn't affect the story, but people (me included) can be book purists and want everything to be exactly as done in the books.

But anyway, I can't wait to find who they choose either way. If filming starts in April (did someone say?) then we'll have found out by then. Exciting!

If the three main ones are white, then I think Draco or Neville won't be.

But it really doesn't matter. As long as the families make sense.

One black,one Asian and one ginger.
Mark my words!

Oh dear.

there are references. Ron is freckly and ginger, hermione is referred to as white (when shocked or similar) in one scene and harry is often referred to as pale.

but they won’t cast 3 white actors for the main 3 in this tv series which I think is completely fine because their race makes no difference to the story. Although I think Ron probably needs to remain red haired and freckled because that’s constantly mentioned. And hopefully harry has the same green eyes as his mother this time!

It's not explicitly stated, but it's 1990s England and other skin colours are commented on (such as Dean Thomas) or implied by their non-English names (Parvati Patil, Cho Chang). Honestly, anyone trying to pretend that they werent intended to be white are absolutely kidding themselves.

Also, JK Rowling released her own illustrations of the characters many years ago and it was very obvious what colour everyone was supposed to be. 'Gary' is Dean Thomas and he is clearly shaded darker than everyone else.

@Bumblebee123987 some agents have put cryptic posts/storeis up which I'm 95% sure are Harry Potter recalls post script tape! My child isn't one of them though so don't know for sure.

Are you sure all the three characters are explicitly stated as white / Caucasian in the book. Rather than you’ve just inferred that because of your internal prejudice? When I think of the defining features of Harry, I think messy black hair, dark glasses, and a scar.but even if they were stated as white that’s not the world many people live in… I would hope the vast majority and I don’t think @MasterBeth’s question is strange at all

that said I’d love to just hear more about the casting and not focus on whether Harry was / is / could be non-white.

interesting question @YourNewEagle maybe they’re focusing on Harry role first to see if there’s an obvious front runner and use that to narrow down the others.

I seriously wonder how many videos they got submitted.

Strange question - because the main three were white in the books and people like an accurate adaptation? People didn't even like that Daniel Radcliffe had blue eyes instead of green like in the books.

So why should the main cast be 100% white?

@LetItGoHome i think your right on that one.

About a week after I submitted but nothing since and that's weeks ago, so I'm not sure if it's a case of not getting any further or just waiting like everyone else. It would be nice to know if anyone had got any further and then we'd have an idea

I often think about things like this! When I was younger I was desperate to be a famous actress but no way could I have actually dealt with this rejection!! 🤣

@Bumblebee123987 - ooh that’s exciting! When did you hear back?

Also, is there anyone had a second tape request when applying for Hermione role? It seems there have only been call for Harry’s role so far?

There was a boy in my sons' school who got down to the last 3 for the first ever movie. Poor lad!

I don't think the vast majority of us will hear anything at all. A few who are selected for further tapes or auditioning are probably not allowed to say anything to anyone. I think the next thing we will hear is with the rest of the public with publicity for the show once filming has begun.

Hi we done it via open call and heard back asking for the self tape but haven't heard anything since. We submitted back in September aswell but for harry. I would hope even if the child doesn't get the part they originally submitted for that they might be considered for a different part. I do understand they wouldn't like to speak to soon about not being successful but surely they have to have an elimination process for each round or they'd never narrow it down. That's why I asked how many auditions might there be as surly the list gets smaller. Alas we won't know for certain because I haven't heard anything from anyone after the et self tape