Harry Potter fans are causing havoc online after it was recently announced that HBO would be rebooting the popular movie franchise into a new TV series.
I know what you're thinking: Who on God's good Earth asked for a Harry Potter-inspired TV show? Because I sure as hell didn't, but it looks like we're getting one.
According to an announcement via Twitter, the streaming platform confirmed the rumors that were swirling earlier this year, stating that they have "ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series" which is set to be "a faithful adaptation of the iconic books."
Alongside the caption, they posted a 30-second teaser clip, which showed off the official title page accompanied by the familiar opening theme tune of the movie.
During an event for Warner Bros Discovery, details surrounding the project were fed to the audience in attendance, with producers revealing that this was a "decade-long" series featuring "a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom."
As per Game Spot, WB Discovery also added: "Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world" after previously reporting that there would be seven seasons, each related to the books.
In a press release, the franchise's "controversial" creator J.K Rowling stated that she will be joined by Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts as executive producers on the project, while also adding that it "will be available on Max [HBO Max's new name] in the US and globally once produced."
While most other details, including the release date and the cast line up, have been kept firmly under wraps, fans have taken to social media to discuss whether Rowling will choose to "diversify" the cast as she did for the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
You remember all the drama around that, right?
Set 19 years after the events of the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tells the story of Harry’s teenage son, Albus, and Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpio, and their own battle against dark forces as they try to keep the planet safe like their parents did before them. We also get to see Ron and Hermione’s daughter Rose join the dynamic duo, as well as Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange’s secret love child, Delphi.
While you would assume that Voldemort’s ability to have kids would be the most scandalous part of the production, it was surprisingly topped by JK Rowling’s choice of casting.
Why? Obviously because Hermione Granger was played by a Black actress - the horror!
And this debate seems to have been re-ignited online.
Taking to Twitter, fans gathered to talk about the potential of a more diverse line up.
"The writers on the HBO Harry Potter series when they realize that the new Hermione actress is going to be black and they need to find a way to justify her being called a 'mudblood' and being laughed at for being anti-slavery," wrote one user attaching a video of two people coughing to near death.
"I hate race swapping characters to pacify snowflakes feelings... Funny now the same people who like that s***, are the same ones complaining Hermione might be black in the new Harry Potter series... Ironic huh," added another.
The conversation continued to get heated as this third person chimed in with: "It's quite funny. They chose to have a black Hermione because of 'Diversity'. They probably were casting only black girls for this. True Diversity would be casting everyone, No matter the skin color and choosing the one with the most talent."
However, while people continued to debate the issue, others were firmly supporting the idea that Hermione could be played by a Black person.
"I want them to hire a black trans actress as Hermione in the new Harry Potter series," this user tweeted, while another added: "Sorry to disappoint some of you but I'd love to see a black Hermione in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. @jk_rowling even likes it. There was already a black woman playing Hermione in the theatrical play and JK loved it."
So far, nothing has yet been confirmed but I'm sure we'll be hearing about the line up in the near future.
