J.K. Rowling has never explicitly stated that Hermione Granger is black. However, she has expressed support for casting black actors in the Harry Potter films, and she has acknowledged the diverse fan interpretations of the characters.
Rowling's Stance on Diversity
Rowling has stated that she believes the characters in her books are "open to interpretation" and that she is happy to see fans embrace diversity in their portrayals.
- In 2015, she tweeted that she "loved" the casting of Noma Dumezweni as Hermione in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play.
- In 2016, she responded to a fan's question about Hermione's race by saying that "she can be any race you want her to be."
The Importance of Representation
The casting of black actors in the Harry Potter franchise, including Noma Dumezweni, has sparked important conversations about representation in media. Many fans have celebrated the inclusion of diverse actors, while others have expressed disappointment that Rowling did not explicitly state Hermione's race in the books.
Fan Interpretations
The lack of explicit information about Hermione's race in the books has allowed fans to interpret the character in a variety of ways. This has led to a diverse range of fan art, fanfiction, and interpretations of the character, including depictions of Hermione as black.
Conclusion
Ultimately, J.K. Rowling has not explicitly stated that Hermione Granger is black. However, she has expressed support for diverse casting and has acknowledged the diverse interpretations of the characters by fans.