The announcement of the main cast of the new series by HBO Max dedicated to the universe of Harry Potter It has not gone unnoticed, but not in the desired way. The names of the three young actors chosen to interpret Harry, Hermione and Ron – respectively Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout – They triggered a wave of reactions so violent that production has decided to Disable the comments on your social platforms.
A move already seen with the previous revelations on the secondary cast, but which, on this occasion, affects for its symbolic scope. The choice seems to have been taken for contain the media clamor and the rain of ferocious criticisms who overwhelmed the series from the beginning.
Some historical fans declare themselves against the replacement of the iconic faces of the original film, others complain of aesthetic choices that “The aspect of the characters described in the books would betray”. There was no lack of controversy related to inclusiveness, already emerged with the introduction of black actors in central roles, as in the case of Paapa Essiedu chosen to interpret Severus Ponon.
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Controversy also for the transfobic positions of JK Rowling
In parallel, the boycott by a slice of the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters towards the franchise, due to the Public positions of JK Rowlingaccused by years of transfobia. The author recently returned to the eye of the cyclone for a substantial donation to an anti-trans organization, further fueling discontent against each new production linked to the magical world of Hogwarts.
The creative team of the series, led by the showrunner Francesca Gardiner and by the director Mark Mylodtried to reassure the public by talking about the “Single talent”Of the new protagonists and promising a faithful show to the original spirit, but capable of relaunch the saga For a new generation.
In the meantime, an increasingly noisy part of the public asks to abandon the logic of remake and to focus rather on new stories within the Potterian universe. A request that clashes with the nostalgia and with the desire, by the major, to revitalize a brand that is still very powerful but now more than ever divided.
