Harry Potter fans say same thing about casting as clip of new Hermione actress resurfaces
Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to portray the new Hermione Granger resurfaced.
Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
The trio will join an impressive cast that includes John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall, respectively.
In addition, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will play Squib caretaker Argus Filch.
While some viewers have already threatened to boycott the new series due to Rowling's controversial views on transgender issues, others are eagerly awaiting further details.
Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's remarkable acting career has come into focus.
The star previously portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day.
The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage through the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage.
After the performance went viral with over 33,000 views on YouTube, fans unanimously praised Arabella's casting as "perfect".
"From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione," one admirer remarked.
"So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect," another fan expressed.
"I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," commented a third viewer.
A fourth enthusiast shared: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor."
"SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," another person exclaimed.
"Cryingggg, I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect," another person added.
Arabella also took to the stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber's roller-skating musical Starlight Express in 2024, portraying the character Control.
Last year, she reflected on her role as Matilda on an Instagram account managed by her parents, posting: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final).
"Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!"
The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
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