The Little Mermaid: Noma Dumezweni to originate new character in Disney’s live-action film
The Undoing star’s role is yet to be disclosed
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Noma Dumezweni has joined the cast of Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
The British actor, who is best known for originating the role of Hermione Granger in the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will play an undisclosed new character who wasn’t in the 1989 animated film, Deadline reports.
In 2020, Dumezweni appeared in two of the biggest shows on TV, playing lawyer Haley Fitzgerald in The Undoing and Connell’s therapist in Normal People.
Dumezweni will star in The Little Mermaid opposite Halle Bailey – of musical duo Chloe x Halle – as the titular mermaid Ariel, while Jonah Hauer-King plays Prince Eric.
Early speculation had suggested that Harry Styles was on board as Ariel’s love interest, but the “Watermelon Sugar” singer later said that the filming schedule “didn’t quite line up” with his touring plans.
Melissa McCarthy will play Ursula and Javier Bardem will star as King Triton, while the voice cast currently consists of Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina. The film will be directed by Rob Marshall.
As well as featuring songs from the animated classic such as “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea”, The Little Mermaid will include new musical numbers from original composer Alan Menken and Lin-Manual Miranda.
Hamilton composer Miranda has previously worked with Disney on creating the music for 2016’s Moana, in addition to starring alongside Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns. Dumezweni also appeared in the 2018 Mary Poppins sequel.
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