The new Harry Potter series is looking for actors (Picture: Getty Images)
As HBO prepares to launch a reboot of the Harry Potter series, the casting call is sparking controversy.
While Warner Bros. and HBO have committed to ‘inclusive, diverse casting,’ fans have taken to social media to express outrage at the possibility that the characters will in any way differ from the originals.
The casting call for the new series was officially launched yesterday, focusing on children from the UK and Ireland.
The reboot promises to be a faithful adaptation of the books, with a new cast to take over the roles previously made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. While the casting process hasn’t even technically begun, there’s already plenty of opinions online.
At the heart of the controversy is the casting note stating that auditions will be open to performers of all ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds.
This commitment to diversity has been a standard practice in recent years, but for some the idea of changing the characters’ ethnicities or genders is unacceptable.
Some fans think the new casting should be as close to the original as possible (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
One user, @AdamBrimson, voiced his frustration, tweeting: ‘What can they do, that hasn’t already been done in the movies? Apart from turn it incredibly woke?’
The fear of ‘wokeness’ has become a central theme in the backlash, with many fans decrying any shift in the series that moves away from its original character portrayals.
@mymomso2, posted: ‘IF THEY ARE NOT ALL WHITE WE ARE BOYCOTTING THIS! Harry Potter is White. Ron Weasley is White. Hermione Granger is White. END OF DISCUSSION.’
Many online users have complained that they think the new series will be ‘too woke’ (Picture: Getty Images)
User @GosuGains expressed frustration, writing: ‘Can we please put a hold on this until Wokeness is dead? No one wants to watch yet another beloved story be abused by resentful, entitled, incompetent, adult-children.’
@nirgn975 posted: ‘Let’s hope for it to not be woke and ruin the original storyline.’
@taylortrandahl wrote: ‘The very first casting announcement for HBO’s Harry Potter series says they’re committed to “inclusive, diverse” casting and mentions gender identity.
‘Not a great sign for those of us hoping the remake no one is asking for would at least not fall victim to the same woke pandering for “modern audiences” that has desecrated one cherished IP after another in recent years.’
J.K. Rowling has been outspoken about her anti-trans beliefs (Picture: Getty Images)
The call for diversity in casting isn’t new to the Harry Potter franchise. In 2016, the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast Noma Dumezweni, a Black actress, as Hermione Granger.
While Dumezweni’s portrayal was met with some initial controversy, it was ultimately praised by critics and fans as a roaring success.
For many children, Hogwarts is the first place they ever really felt like they belonged. The magic of the Harry Potter universe lies in its ability to transport readers and viewers way from their real lives and into a magical world full of possibility.
In casting more diverse actors, more children will be able to see themselves in the beloved story, only enhancing the magic.
The casting call is open to children who will be 9-11 in 2025 (Picture: HBO)
The author of the books, J.K. Rowling, has long been an outspoken opponent of trans rights, often taking to the internet to go on long-winded rants about trans people.
This makes the call for gender diverse casting particularly interesting, and some fans have pointed out this irony.
@johnnyjl96 wrote: ‘I’m really interested in this even though I never asked for it. Hope they nail it or I’m gonna be very disappointed. Music needs to stay the same, everything else needs to feel fresh in my opinion.’
@RayYoWTF wrote: ‘How dope is this???? I’m so excited about this new series and can’t wait to see the new cast and how it’ll play out! I volunteer as tribute to play a Death Eater!!!’
Some on social media are hopeful that a more diverse cast for the new series will help undo some of the harm Rowling’s stances have caused – and allow even more people to see themselves in the story.
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