Featured Image Credit: HBO, Warner Bros Pictures
Topics: Harry Potter, TV And Film
I don’t know about you, but I’m still wondering why the Harry Potter TV show is actually happening.
The film series is easily one of the most iconic of all-time. It’s so well known.
If you think of Harry Potter, you picture Daniel Radcliffe. If you imagine Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it’s that specific visual iteration that springs to mind.
From the house crests to the aesthetic of The Daily Prophet, it’s all so recognisable and prevalent in our memories.
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I simply cannot see that the upcoming TV show creating a vision that exceeds what’s already been done.
Of course, there’s also the JK Rowling controversy to consider - something which has only emerged in the years succeeding the ending of the film series.
If rumours are to be believed, that controversy might be affecting casting with insiders saying that the recent open casting call has been put out after TV executives struggled to get big names on board.
Of course, that could be utter nonsense. Casting directors may just want to replicate the process that discovered Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint back in the day.
Either way, the casting call has caused a ruckus for reasons that I can’t quite believe.
For some reason, people are angry about the use of the word “diverse”. If you could hear the sigh I just released.
ICYMI: Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is out now and is available as a day one PS Plus release.
The casting call is welcoming children between the ages of nine and 11 to apply for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
You don’t need any prior experience but you do need to be a resident of the UK and Ireland and have the permission of a parent.
The part that’s causing upset is the paragraph, “We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. For every role, please submit qualified performers without regard to ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.”
Some have therefore decided that the show is, yes I’m going to have to quote that word, “woke”.
As reported by NME, “What can they do that hasn’t already been done in the movies? Apart from turn it incredibly woke?” one Twitter user asked.
“Can we please put a hold on this until wokeness is dead?” added another.
Other users demanded that the leads should only be portrayed by white actors.
Questioning the need for the show is one thing. To question it for these specific reasons? Well, I wish I didn’t have to inform you of such narrow-minded hate being strewn about.