Harry Potter open casting call

[afrikat]

Anyone's kids going for it?? My daughter would have loved to but is 2 months too young 😢

https://app.castittalent.com/HPCasting?utm_source=wwd_web&utm_medium=homepage_tile&utm_campaign=hbo&utm_content=hpseries-castingannounce

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!

I don't think it matters what colour the characters were written as it doesn't impact the story. I guess all the Weasley's are ginger but they could just as easily have a different hair colour. Or be black. Colour blind casting has been around for a while

Oh dear.

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

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.

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!

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.

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?

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 .

@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

@sunflowerdaisyrose oh like what?

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.

@CaptainCarrotsBigSword there are POC with natural ginger/brown/red hair also!

I guess another concern for those involved will be the backlash they're likely to get from a certain type of person if they colour blind cast the main actors. They'll have seen the kind of harassment eg Rue in the Hunger Games experienced and from a duty of care perspective might not want to attract that for a child.

Just to reiterate that people of colour can have green eyes / red hair and be described as having pale skin etc so that part will be covered.

I'm black, my kids are all with an agency and I would be heartbroken if they were to be subjected to the type of backlash received when an actual fictional CHARACTER is changed to a poc. It takes all the fun and excitement out of the process. One of my sons was in a tv series a few years back and I found a comment online calling him a monkey. So sad, when most of these shows are aimed at children anyway but grown adults choose to write abuse online. Children don't usual care what characters look like, they just enjoy the story.

When it comes to the HP series, they asked for all ethnicities so I can't really see them sticking to the original look of the cast. That might encourage unfair comparison and also impersonation which wouldn't help make a successful tv series. They need to switch it up really because people are so familiar with the story now (the series is literally shown every week on tv!). Make it fresh but I hope whoever is cast that they have thick skin. Good luck everyone! xx^^

@mandes1 so sorry you read and experience that.

Contrary to @verysmellyjelly‘s opinion I personally would love the new series to be visually distinctive to the play and the films to create its own identity. After all it’s an interpretation of a fictional world. I absolutely loved the books and have reread many times over the last 20 years but I feel if I want to immerse myself if that world I would just happily reread the books again. But I’d love to see a different interpretation and wouldn’t want the new series to unnecessarily constrain themselves to old (now quite dated?) principles.

But back to casting. @Chawklit1 great intel in an Irish Hermione and an Asian Harry. That’s the only info I’ve read of in person auditions so maybe they’re further ahead with Hermione… or maybe further ahead in Ireland?!

The Asian boy is actually UK based , I don’t think it was a recall in person . Just a second tape request . His parent and agency posted separate posts about this . The parent’s post was more obvious about what it was . He is quite tall and strong so I’m not sure he is the right fit for Harry but what do I know !

The Irish recall is happening this month . If staying true to the books this child is definitely a Hermione.

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.

You are clutching at straws here.

Gosh. Everyone campaigning on SM for Harry and co to look like their kid. 🙄

I’m sure that there will be so many considerations in the mix for casting that won’t even occur to people outside the industry.

How are they clutching at straws? It's undeniably obvious that the main three were intended to be white.

I agree with people that this series should be different and make its own mark, but it could do that by being even more accurate to the books that the films were. Give Hermione really curly hair and actually big teeth, make ron actually tall, make Harry's hair actually messy. Make Hogwarts look like a traditional English castle. Make Dudley have blonde hair. Include Peeves. Show more lessons, more ghosts.

I don't think anyone is campaigning for H to look like their kid at all but representation is important. I'm pretty sure the production will select the best actors for the job no matter what race/gender x

Representation of what though?

If it's representative of Britain, especially Britain in the 1990s, then a majority white cast of characters is representative!

If it's modern day, then Britain is still majority white.

If it's global modern day, then we ought to be making Hermione and Harry of Indian and Chinese ethnicity, as those are the largest ethnic groups.

Will the books be set in modern day UK or 80s/90s UK?

Also... they will have a global audience. The whole cast (not just HH&R) has the opportunity to be diverse. Maybe Dumbledore will be black, or McGonagall. There's all the minor named students and staff. And the unnamed ones.

And honestly this is why I'm glad DD is just out of the age range as these kids are going to be the most scruntinised, trolled and envied children for the next few years.

Some people like "an accurate adaptation".

Some people like that a filmed adaptation 30 years after the book came out reflects the times it's made in.

But many, many, many fans will not share your view that preserving the beloved whiteness of a fictional wizard is important.