Step aside, Hermione Granger! There’s a new leading lady in the Harry Potter universe. Relative newcomer Katherine Waterston has been cast as Porpentina in the upcoming Potter spinoff films, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Variety reports.
Porpentina, or “Tina,” eventually becomes the wife of “magizoologist” and textbook author Newt Scamander, who will be played by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne. Fans are already thrilled by the new movies, considering Potter scribe J.K. Rowling is penning the screenplays for the trilogy.
What makes things even better is that Rowling gave Waterston, 35, her official seal of approval on Twitter on Monday, June 15.
I couldn't be happier with our Tina: Katherine Waterston! #FantasticBeasts https://t.co/VSTUdGYUrF
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 15, 2015
“I couldn't be happier with our Tina: Katherine Waterston! #FantasticBeasts,” she tweeted along with the announcement.
The film will be set in New York City and will finally reveal an American school of witchcraft and wizardry. It is set in the same magical world as Potter, but takes place about 70 years prior to when Harry’s story began.
Waterston had a recurring role on Boardwalk Empire as Emma Harrow, and recently appeared in 2014’s Inherent Vice.
The first Fantastic Beasts film will be released on Nov. 18, 2016.
