Back in October, Harry Potter fans received long-awaited news about J.K. Rowling's upcoming stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which will serve as the eighth official installment in the series. It picks up right around the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and will follow a grown Harry Potter and his son.

But considering only a very brief synopsis of the play was released, fans have been overwhelmed by a series of unanswered questions: Who exactly is the "cursed child," and why? Will any of the original films' cast be reprising their roles on stage?

Well, now we have an answer to that second question because, as of Sunday night (December 20), the production announced the actors who will be playing Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger: Jamie Parker, Paul Thornley, and Noma Dumezweni, respectively (via MTV).

Although none of the original cast are present, perhaps it's a small consolation that Jamie Parker has previous wizarding experience: He starred in British historical fantasy miniseries Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell earlier this year.

The biggest surprise about this casting announcement is Noma Dumezweni—a black actress—will be playing Hermione, a decision that the Harry Potter fandom has apparently met with uproarious approval. With a longstanding push for a brown-skinned Hermione, Dumezweni has made fans' dreams not just true but canon.


See Emma Watson's + Other Celebs' Dramatic New Hair Styles

More From PopCrush