Harry Potter HBO Hermione casting has fans braced for 'atrocious' backlash

Harry Potter fans have been discussing who will play the next Hermione Granger in the upcoming HBO reboot and some are bracing for an “atrocious” backlash.

The Harry Potter TV reboot from HBO was announced in 2023 and not only will it have a modern setting, but understandably, it will also have a new cast to play its many beloved characters.

Check out the Harry Potter trailer below!

The legion of Harry Potter fans will be wondering, will the new cast take inspiration from the hugely successful movie franchise starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint or will it take inspiration from the influential novels?

Recently, we learned officially who will play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore in the reboot and personally, I think he’s a fantastic choice.

“How will fans react to a book-accurate Hermione in the HBO show?” asked Redditor Sameseksure. “Many fans are very attached to Emma Watson's portrayal, but as book readers know, Hermione's depiction in the movies was very different than in the books.”

“I just wonder, if HBO depicts Hermione from the books - "warts and all" - like how she's occasionally intolerant, a bit rude and brash, and often panicky and "shrill", will movie fans receive this positively?” they continued.

“I worry some fans might dislike Hermione, and in the worst case, send hate towards the new actress who will play her.”

It’s perhaps worth keeping in mind that while the movie version of Hermione Granger is played by white actress Emma Watson, the character's skin colour is not stated in the novels, which could broaden the casting pool for the reboot.

In the stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, an older Hermione Granger, now married to Ron Weasley is portrayed by black actress Noma Dumezweni.

“The internet is going to be atrocious no matter what. The internet liked Watson a little too much, if you know what I mean?” replied ComplaintNo6835.

“Hermione was not dislikeable in the books, but she was not an idea of perfection as they made the movie Hermione to be,” explained HyperspaceSloth. “I would like something closer to the books, but they don't have to go out of her way to make her ugly or distasteful. I did not find her ugly or distasteful in the books in general.

“Watson and Hermione merged to the point that many fans can’t differentiate between the character and the portrayal by the actress,” said Lyannake. “Many fans will say the new Hermione isn’t Hermione at all because they don’t realise who Hermione was in the books.”

Hopefully, now we know who will play Professor Albus Dumbledore, further casting announcements might not be too far away and we’ll keep you posted when that information drops.

There is currently no release date for the Harry Potter TV reboot but it might be safe to assume that it could be a couple of years away from now.