On the heels of her breakout role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “Inherent Vice,” Katherine Waterston has landed the female lead of Tina opposite Eddie Redmayne in Warner Bros.’ adaptation of J.K. Rowling‘s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the studio announced Monday.
Tina, which is short for Porpentina, is a witch who — unlike the beloved characters from Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books — works her magic in the U.S. She meets magizoologist Newt Scamander (Redmayne) when he stops in New York City on his travels to find and document magical creatures.
“Katherine Waterston is a rising star, who was a revelation in our film ‘Inherent Vice,’ earning the praise of both critics and audiences. We are thrilled to have her back in the Warner Bros. family, especially in one of our most anticipated titles for 2016, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,’” said Greg Silverman of Warner Bros.
David Yates (director of the last four “Harry Potter” films) will direct from Rowling’s screenplay, which was inspired by Newt Scamander’s Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
The film is being produced by David Heyman, Rowling, Steve Kloves (who scripted all but one of the “Harry Potter” films) and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last four installments of the blockbuster franchise.
Waterston will soon be seen alongside Michael Fassbender in Danny Boyle‘s upcoming drama “Steve Jobs.” Her other credits include the award-winning HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” and the films “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” “Night Moves,” “Being Flynn,” “Taking Woodstock” and “Michael Clayton.” She’s represented by UTA, Silver Lining Entertainment and attorney Robert D. Koch.
Warner Bros. has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on Nov. 18, 2016.