Most people are familiar with the Harry Potter book series and those who are not would likely recognize the principle actors from the film adaptations. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson – the three starring actors – not only brought the characters to life, but possessed the special quality of having grown up on screen, enabling the audience to feel a connection to them. Therefore, when the author of the series, J.K. Rowling, announced this year that the new play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” would be debuting in London in 2016, it meant the end of these actors being the sole representations for these characters like they were for over a decade. However, the latest shock came following the announcement that English actress Noma Dumezweni would be playing the upcoming adult version of Hermione Granger. Dumezweni has recently faced scrutiny given that she is black, unlike Granger’s original portrayal in the films.

There were people online who expressed anger that the play would be straying from the previous portrayal of Granger. Some people have sent messages to Rowling and former cast members to express their outrage. However, Rowling and former Potter actor Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in all eight films, both responded with poise and respect to the new actor who will be taking on the significant role.

I find it appalling that anyone would be against a fresh representation of a character that is widely beloved and respected for her kindness and intelligence. Any previous portrayal of Granger’s race, which Rowling reminded is not specified in the books, should not be used to prevent new and diversified depictions. Instead, the ambiguity that Rowling provided should act as encouragement to other authors to do the same so that adaptations are not restricted. The development of Granger’s portrayal is great and is also crucial because it helps provide greater racial representation, especially to the children who grow up wondering why they see less people of their race being portrayed on the big screen or in popular media and as a result, feel as though they do not have someone to emulate.

People will likely argue that children should not use race as a means to emulate and they should instead simply model behavior, rather than physical appearance. That would be ideal and might work in a perfect world, but the idea itself comes from a position of privilege where the person saying it has the ability to follow a character's morals while also bearing a cultural resemblance to that character. How do you explain to a young child who is wondering why there are so few relatable images of him or herself in popular media that the discrepancy simply exists? And instead of doing something to change the trend, Hollywood continues to project racially unspecified characters as white – the oftentimes considered default.

Overall, the race of a character should not matter. Unfortunately, in an industry where equal opportunity and equal representation for all races still do not exist, it will continue to matter until actual steps are taken to eliminate the discrepancy. Until then, Dumezweni’s acquisition of the role of Granger in “Cursed Child” serves as not only a significant step, but also as an important reminder in regards to how far we must go in order to diversify the film industry.