The Ever Expanding Universe of Harry Potter

2 minute read
Updated: | Originally published: ;

Correction appended, Dec. 22

• Original Potter books and movies

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

OPENS NOVEMBER 2016

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

OPENS JULY 2016

SETTING

Modern-day England, mostly at Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic (the U.K.’s wizard HQ)

1920s New York, mostly at the Magical Congress of the USA (America’s wizard HQ)

1990s England, mostly at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

HEROES

Albus Severus, Harry’s youngest son

“Magizoologist” Newt Scamander; wizard sisters Queenie and Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein; and magicless Jacob

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore–and many, many more

VILLAINS

Debatable–but some signs point to Harry, since his legacy causes problems for his son

The titular beasts, who run amok after escaping Newt’s bewitched briefcase

Voldemort and the Death Eaters

INSPIRATION

An original short story by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany

A “real” Hogwarts textbook, written by Rowling and released in 2001

Rowling’s childhood and complicated relationship with her father

ACTORS

At least 30 will be cast, though none have been named yet

Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell, among others

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, among others

LINGO

Will be disclosed onstage, unless fans manage to use Aparecium–the revealing charm–on Rowling’s script

No-maj (the U.S. term for people who can’t perform magic)

Muggle (the U.K. term for non-wizards), butterbeer (a sugary drink) and Wingardium Leviosa (the spell for levitation)

CENTRAL HOUSE

Unclear–but some have speculated it will be Slytherin, known for cunning

Hufflepuff, the Hogwarts house known for patience and loyalty

Gryffindor, known for bravery, nerve and chivalry

Correction: The original version of this story misspelled the name of Katherine Waterston.

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com