Rising star Katherine Waterston has officially joined the cast of the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. According to The Wrap, Waterston will portray 'Tina' (a.k.a. 'Porpentina'), an American witch who meets magiczoologist Newt Scamander on his travels in New York City. The talented actress joins Eddie Redmayne in the Warner Bros. production, which was penned by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and is set to hit theatres on November 18, 2016.
Warner Bros executive Greg Silverman had the following to say about Waterston's casting as part of the studio's official announcement on Monday:
"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."
Last month, The Wrap named Waterston as one of three actresses up to play Tina - suggesting she beat out model-turned-actress Kate Upton and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'s Elizabeth Debicki for the part. Yet to be cast is the movie's other female lead: Tina's younger sister 'Queenie', with Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Fanning, Lili Simmons and Alison Sudol all said to be vying for the role.
What are your thoughts about Waterston's casting? Do you think WB made the right choice, or would you have preferred to see Upton or Debecki get the gig? And who would you like to see play her onscreen sister? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!