Jamie Parker will take on the role of Harry Potter alongside Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley in the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts I & II at London’s Palace Theatre next year.
Parker, who is currently starring in the West End transfer of Guys And Dolls, will follow in the footsteps of the wizarding franchise’s screen star, Daniel Radcliffe, to play a grown-up Harry, who is both a father and employee of the Ministry of Magic in the much-anticipated stage show.
The History Boys actor, whose other recent London stage credits include High Society at The Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe’s Henry V, will be joined by Dumezweni and Thornley as Harry’s childhood friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
Olivier Award winner Dumezweni, like Parker, can currently be seen on the London stage, as she leads the cast of Penelope Skinner’s Linda at the Royal Court. The actress has a long list of stage credits, including the Young Vic’s A Raisin In The Sun for which she won her prestigious Olivier Award in 2006.
Thornley will take on the role of J K Rowling’s much-loved red head following recent performances in the West End production of A Chorus Of Disapproval and London Road at the National Theatre, before taking on the role of Dodge in the film adaptation of the latter.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts I & II, which is written by Rowling alongside Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, will begin its highly anticipated run at the Palace Theatre on 7 June 2016 and, following incredible demand for tickets, is currently booking until 27 May 2017.
Talking about today’s casting news, Rowling said: I’m so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. I can’t wait to see Jamie, Noma and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer.”
Billed as “the eighth story, 19 years later”, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts I & II follows the story of Harry, now a husband and father of three school-age children, as he grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs.
The full company for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts I & II, which will feature more than 30 performers, will be announced at a later date.