Noma Dumezweni Joins Political Thriller “Black Earth Rising”!

Actress Noma Dumezweni, who recently won an Olivier Award for her role as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, “will play a major role” in a new political thriller, according to the Daily Mail!

The project, from writer and director Hugo Blick, is an eight-part drama series called Black Earth Rising, “set against the backdrop of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.” Little is known about Dumezweni’s role, however:

[BBC] executives refused to divulge the nature of Ms Dumezweni’s role in Black Earth Rising except to describe it as ‘notable’ and ‘significant’, though later they upgraded that appraisal to ‘a major pivotal role . . . and we’re thrilled that she’s in it’.

Blick’s script mainly concerns itself with how the ICC — which is charged with trying individuals for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity — holds parts of Africa to account. The episodes will be filmed in the UK, France and West Africa over 15 weeks.

The Daily Mail adds that the storyline has changed from what was originally planned:

The BBC had announced that a storyline involving an American family had been woven into the series, but Blick has now scrapped that narrative and had to rewrite the first episode as a result.

Whatever role Dumezweni plays in the series, we know that we can’t wait to see it! Right now, Black Earth Rising is set to air on BBC Two and Netflix “towards the end of 2018.”

Are you looking forward to seeing Noma Dumezweni in a political thriller? What do you think her role will be? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!