New Cursed Child Character Portraits Show Ron, Hermione, And Rose Granger-Weasley

We recently got a first look at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Part One's Potter family, and now it's time for the Weasley's to get the spotlight.

Featured in the portraits are Ron Weasley (Paul Thornley), Hermione Granger (Noma Dumezweni), and their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley (Cherrelle Skeete). Paul Thornley spoke about the state of the Granger-Weasleys when Cursed Child begins.

'It's 19 years later when the play begins. Ron is married to Hermione Granger and they're now the Granger-Weasleys. Our magnificent daughter Rose Granger-Weasley is about to start at Hogwarts, which is obviously a big day for everyone."

The smallest Granger-Weasley, Cherrelle Skeete, told Pottermore how she's dealing with the anticipated project, saying: "I can't think about how big it is or I'll just faint. Putting on my uniform, ready to go to Hogwarts, and seeing everyone else in their uniform was exciting. I've been looking at it every day in the wardrobe department, waiting for the day I can get on the Hogwarts Express." It isn't the first project of this scale she's acted in, however, as she also appeared in The Lion King, as well as Wind in the Willows.

Cherrelle also spoke about the similarities between her and her mother, saying: "Rose is ambitious, obviously her mum is Hermione so she's got a lot to live up to. I think they're quite similar in the fact they put a lot of pressure on themselves. And she just wants to do the right thing." J.K. Rowling agreed with that take, adding: "Rose is like her mother, but more secure, more grounded. She was born to wizards and knows her place in the world. Cherrelle plays her perfectly: bossy but deeply loveable."

Noma Dumezweni, the Olivier Award-Winner actress who plays Cherrelle's mother Hermione, brings an immense presence to the role, and J.K. Rowling added: "I saw Noma workshop the part and when John Tiffany told me he'd cast her, I was overjoyed. She gets Hermione inside out." It didn't really hit Dumezweni until she put on the costume, saying: "Being in full costume for the first time was stunning, because I went, "Ahhh there you are."

As for Ron, he hasn't changed all that much according to Rowling, who said:"Ron in his forties isn't very different from Ron in his teens, except that his feet hurt a bit more. Paul's so funny and brilliant in the role." Paul Thornley added: "We had to make it look as though he doesn't really care what he wears in the morning."

'We wanted to find a jumper, that is definitely his favourite jumper, and that I think gets washed occasionally. He wants to essentially be comfortable at all times, hence comfortable cords, comfortable jumper, comfortable shoes. I don't believe he's a man who spends an awful lot of time shopping.'

It didn't all come together until rehearsals started, as Thornley explains: "The technical rehearsal is where you put all the components together,' Paul said. 'All the lights, the sound, the magic – which I'm not going to tell you about – the illusions – which I'm not going to tell you about – and the costumes, and for us to find our places on the stage. We also try to all fit backstage and get the various scenery on and off without bumping into each other, which is sometimes successful."

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Part One debuts at the Palace Theatre London this July.