Tonight (Tuesday 7 June), Noma Dumezweni will step onto the stage as Hermione Granger for the first time, but while it’d be fair to think the actress is feeling the pressure, Noma has revealed what’s helping her cope.
The announcement that the actress would be playing Hermione in ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’ was met with criticism by some, with Noma now sharing her thoughts on the backlash.
Jeff Spicer via Getty Images
Addressing the pressure ahead of her debut in the role, Noma tells The New York Times: “The weight of expectation is huge.
Speaking earlier this week, 'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling condemned those who bemoaned the fact a black actress has been cast as Hermione, stating: “I had a bunch of racists telling me that because Hermione ‘turned white’ – that is, lost colour from her face after a shock – that she must be a white woman, which I have a great deal of difficulty with.
“But I decided not to get too agitated about it and simply state quite firmly that Hermione can be a black woman with my absolute blessing and enthusiasm.”
Demand for tickets to the two-part play has been huge, and both productions are now sold out until 2017.
For more information on ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’ click here.
'Harry Potter': Where Are They Now?
Daniel Radcliffe starred as Harry Potter...(01 of60)
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Since appearing as the movies' title character, Daniel has managed to shake off Harry and ensure he's known by his own name - which has been aided by the fact he'll happily get his kit off on-screen and on-stage. After stints in the West End and on Broadway, Daniel recently starred in 'What If', and in 2015, fans will see him take on the role of Igor in 'Frankenstein'. (credit:Julian Parker via Getty Images)
Rupert Grint starred as Ron Weasley...(03 of60)
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Since hanging up his wizard's hat, Rupert has made waves on the West End stage, and in 2013 he received rave reviews for his performance in 'Mojo'.He also stowed some his 'Harry Potter' cash away and splashed it on an ice cream truck, fulfilling a childhood dream. Aww! (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
Ralph Fiennes as He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named... (05 of60)
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You'll find Ralph in 'Wrath of the Titans', 'Skyfall' and 'Great Expectations'. It has also been announced he's been cast in the upcoming, as-yet-unnamed, James Bond film. (credit:Didier Baverel via Getty Images)
Jamie Waylett starred as Vincent Crabbe...(07 of60)
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Sadly, Jamie hasn't fared too well in recent years and in 2012 he was imprisoned after participating in the 2011 London riots. (credit:SHAUN CURRY via Getty Images)
Joshua Herdman starred as Gregory Goyle...(09 of60)
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Sadly, Joshua hasn't faired too well either, and has dropped off the radar as far as acting is concerned. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Tom Felton starred as Draco Malfoy...(11 of60)
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After being everyone's favourite bad guy in the films, Tom decided to try something a little different and recorded a number of singles, which he shared with fans via YouTube. He's currently filming 'Clavius', where he stars as a character called Lucius. Tom's also really, really good at Twitter. (credit:Gustavo Caballero via Getty Images)
Matthew Lewis starred as Neville Longbottom...(13 of60)
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After getting surprisingly dishy, Matthew now spends his time reminding everyone that he's also hugely talented, making his West End debut in 2012 alongside Arthur Darvill and Laurence Fox in 'Our Boys'. Matthew also took part in one of the best editions of Innuendo Bingo ever on Scott Mills' Radio 1 show. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Bonnie Wright starred as Ginny Weasley...(15 of60)
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Bonnie was one of the 'Harry Potter' frachise's younger stars, however, that hasn't stopped her from going on to carve a successful career. While she hasn't quite achieved the worldwide success of the films' leading stars, Bonnie has been applauded for her work as a model and actress. She also writes and directs her own screen plays. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Robert Pattinson starred as Cedric Diggory...(17 of60)
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To be honest, Rob's had a rather quiet life since his character's exit left us weeping in the 'Goblet Of Fire' film. After a lot of digging, Robert's main achievement seems to be another franchise entitled 'Twilight'. Nope, we've never heard of it either... (credit:Jason Merritt via Getty Images)
Julie Walters starred as Molly Weasley...(19 of60)
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Julie is one of the many huge names who appeared in the 'Harry Potter' films so it's not like her career needed the boost. Since the final film in 2011, Julie's been praised by critics her roles in a whole host of other movies, including voicing the witch in Disney's 'Brave'. (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
Michael Gambon starred as Albus Dumbledore...(21 of60)
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Michael is rumoured to be reprising his role in the upcoming wizrding flick 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. He also plays Howard Mollison in the TV adaptation of JK's novel 'A Casual Vacancy'. (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
Dame Maggie Smith starred as Professor McGonagall...(23 of60)
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Already a legend, Dame Maggie Smith continues to win fans with her performance as the Dowager Countess in hit TV series 'Downton Abbey'. She's also no stranger to the big screen, and starred in 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' and is set to feature in the upcoming sequel. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
John Hurt starred as Mr Ollivander...(25 of60)
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Amongst other projects, John has completed three where he was cast alongside other 'Harry Potter' stars; 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', 'The Gruffalo's Child' and 'Labyrinth'. (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
Alan Rickman starred as Severus Snape... (27 of60)
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After 'Harry Potter', method actor Alan was part of several projects including 'CBGB', alongside his former co-star Rupert Grint. He sadly passed away in January 2016, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (credit:Philip Cheung via Getty Images)
Toby Jones provided the voice for Dobby...(29 of60)
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After providing the voice of everybody's favourite House Elf, Toby's projects included 'The Hunger Games', 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and 'The Adventures of Tintin'. (credit:Phillip Chin via Getty Images)
Robbie Coltrane starred as Hagrid...(31 of60)
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Once filming wrapped, Robbie moved over to the Dark Side and joined Voldemort's gang. By which we mean, starred alongside Ralph Fiennes, in 'Great Expectations'. Traitor. (credit:Gustavo Caballero via Getty Images)
Kenneth Branagh starred as Gilderoy Lockhart...(33 of60)
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Oh Kenneth, where do we start? Ever since *that* version of 'Hamlet', Brannagh has been one of our favourite stars to swoon over. Since leaving the Wizarding World, Kenneth has turned his attention to directing, as well as starring in flicks such as 'My Week With Marilyn' and 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit'. (credit:Walter McBride via Getty Images)
Emma Watson starred as Hermione Granger...(35 of60)
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In between stints studying for a degree at Brown University in the US, Emma starred in a number of blockbusters including 'The Bling Ring' and 'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower'. Shortly after graduating in 2013, it was announced that Emma has accepted a UN post and will serve as a Women's Goodwill Ambassador. (credit:Dominique Charriau via Getty Images)
Gary Oldman starred as Sirius Black...(37 of60)
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Gary's a very busy man and has totted up an extensive list of appearances since his Harry Potter days. These include: 'The Dark Knight' and 'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'.He also voiced Viktor Reznov and Daniel Clarke in the 'Call of Duty' games. (credit:Angela Weiss via Getty Images)
David Thewlis starred as Remus Lupin...(39 of60)
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David also lent his voice to video games, specifically as the voice of Lord Darius Crowley in 'World of Warcraft: Cataclysm in 2010'.Other projects include 'War Horse' and a role in 'Separate We Come, Separate We Go', a short film directed by Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley. (credit:Anwar Hussein/Anwar Hussein)
John Cleese starred as Nearly Headless Nick...(41 of60)
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Do we really need to tell you what John Cleese has been up to? Seriously? (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Brendan Gleeson starred as Mad-Eye Moody... (43 of60)
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Mad-eye Moody is actually quite sharp, bagging himself parts in numerous projects including 2014's 'Edge of Tomorrow'.He's also set to star in 'Suffragette', alongside Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham-Carter. (credit:NBC via Getty Images)
Geraldine Somerville starred as Lily Potter...(45 of60)
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Geraldine's fleeting appearances as Harry's mum gave the movies some of their most poignant moments. Since then, she's appeared in 'My Week With Marilyn' and 'Grace Of Monaco'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Natalia Tena starred as Nymphadora Tonks...(47 of60)
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Natalia evidently knows how to smell out a hit as she's also starred in 'Game of Thrones' as Osha. (credit:Europa Press via Getty Images)
David Tennant starred as Barty Crouch Jr...(49 of60)
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David's done barely anything since his time as Barty Crouch Jr. No time as a famous Timelord, no treading the boards in Shakespeare plays and he definitely didn't star opposite Olivia Colman in an award-winning ITV drama series. Lazy moo. (credit:Ben Gabbe via Getty Images)
Warwick Davis starred as Professor Flitwick...(51 of60)
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A bit of a cult hit on YouTube, Warwick Davies has been feautured on several channels, most notably the YogsCast. In the land of television he's made guest appearances on shows including 'An Idiot Abroad', 'Top Gear'. He also played Oberon the Ufgood in 'Dwarves Assemble'.More recently he played Old Hamm in 'Jack the Giant Slayer' and can (sometimes) be found teaching charms lessons at the Warner Bros. Studios VIP nights. (credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Helen McCrory starred as Narcissa Malfoy...(53 of60)
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Like Ralph Fiennes, Helen also appeared in 'Skyfall'. she also stars in the hit drama 'Peaky Blinders' as Aunt Polly. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Helena Bonham Carter starred as Bellatrix Lestrange...(55 of60)
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What can we say? The inimitable Helena Bonham Carter played the role of Bellatrix to disturbing perfection and played similarly creepy parts in many other movies. To be honest, if Voldy had left her in charge, he probably would have triumphed.Helena was the perfect Madame Thernardier in 'Les Miserables' and also gave a stellar performance as Elizabeth Taylor in a BBC television film. (credit:Fred Duval via Getty Images)
Shirley Henderson starred as Moaning Myrtle...(57 of60)
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Shirley Henderson appeared in just a couple of the movies as the ghoul skulking around the toilets. Since then, she voiced the Gruffalo's child in the film of the same name and also starred in 'Soutchliffe', 'Filth' and 'Death In Paradise'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Imelda Staunton starred as Dolores Umbridge...(59 of60)
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Since 'Harry Potter' Staunton has voiced Queen Victoria in 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits' and played Knotgrass in 'Maleficent'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)