Producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child surprised fans of the franchise with their choice of a particular actor, when they announced the cast of the stage show late on Sunday. While Jamie Parker will play the “Chosen One” himself and Paul Thornley, Ron Weasley, the casting of Noma Dumezweni has sparked an online debate over a black actress taking up the role of Hermione Granger.

The announcement attracted anger and harsh comments even though Hermione’s ethnicity is never explicitly mentioned in the books. However, support for Dumezweni poured in from several quarters, including from author JK Rowling. “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,” she said.

Others brought up valid points on the subject, as well:

Moreover, in the seven Harry Potter books, there is only one reference to Hermione’s skin colour. “They were there, both of them, sitting outside Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor — Ron looking incredibly freckly, Hermione very brown, both waving frantically at him.” Besides this instance, her teeth and bushy hair were the only physical characteristics mentioned.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage play set to premiere in July 2016. It will follow the trio’s lives 19 years after the conclusion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.