MCU star Anthony Mackie recently voiced his criticism of the lack of diversity and representation in the Harry Potter franchise’s casting. In an interview with Inverse, Mackie discussed his upcoming film Spark, which focuses on Claudette Colvin’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. During the conversation, he expressed disappointment over the absence of major roles for young Black actors in the Harry Potter series.
Mackie’s comment highlighted the lack of Black characters and friendships within the Harry Potter universe. He humorously remarked that even Frodo from The Lord of the Rings had never encountered a Black character during his epic journey. Mackie even hinted that if he ever appeared on Saturday Night Live, he would perform a skit featuring Frodo in the hood.
While the Harry Potter franchise has enjoyed immense success, it has faced criticism for its limited representation of non-white actors. The primary characters, such as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, were predominantly portrayed by white actors. Characters like Dean Thomas and Kingsley Shacklebolt, who are Black, had minor roles and limited screen time across the eight movies.
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It is important to acknowledge that the Harry Potter series, although relatively recent, reflects the time it was created in. During the early 2000s, there was not a concerted effort to ensure adequate diversity and representation in entertainment. However, the franchise’s lack of racial diversity has been a point of contention in recent years.
The Fantastic Beasts spinoff movies have made some progress in this area, but they too have faced similar criticisms. With the announcement of a Harry Potter TV show earlier this year, there is hope that the franchise will address these casting shortcomings and strive for greater diversity. As race does not define the central characters’ journeys, it is possible to reimagine characters like Hermione as young Black women, as successfully achieved in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, without altering their roles in the story.
While it is still acceptable to enjoy the Harry Potter franchise, it is important to recognize and acknowledge its casting shortcomings. As the push for on-screen representation continues to gain momentum, these issues are likely to become more prominent in the future.
