Black actress to act in new Harry Potter play

A black actress will play Hermione in a new Harry Potter play.

Swaziland-born Noma Dumezweni will take the lead role in the much-anticipated stage production of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", CNN reports.

She will play a middle-aged Hermione Granger, in a story set 19 years after the final book of the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise.

Hermione has so far only been played on screen by Emma Watson.

J K Rowling, author of the hugely successful Harry Potter series, has applauded the decision, adding that "white skin was never specified:"

Dumezweni, 45, was born in Swaziland from South African parents, and moved to England when she was a child.

Hermione's sidekicks, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, will be played by fellow muggles Jamie Parker and Paul Thornley.

Rowling added: "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."

The play, which sold 175,000 ticket in the first 24 hours, will portray the trio as much older wizards and witches, with Harry being an "overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children," according to an outline of the play.