Katherine Waterson On Experiencing Rowling’s Magical World

In a new interview, Katherine Waterson discusses the process of filming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and entering Rowling’s magical world.

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When it comes to the big names in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, Oscar winner and two time nominee, is the one with major cache. After that, the only other “name” is Colin Farrell–who plays the auror who chases Redmayne’s Scamander around New York City attempting to have him arrested. This is a an almost full 180 from the original Harry potter series where it was the central trio of characters who were cast as unknowns, while every other last role, from Uncle Vernon to Molly Weasley, was filled with a big time name from the world of UK acting.

Part of the reason for that is that–unlike Potter, where Rowling insisted that every last person cast be from the UK or Ireland–many of the major roles in Fantastic Beasts are played by Americans. Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Katherine Waterson make up the backbone of Newt’s group of friends, but those each of them is known in their Americans niche–Folger for comedy, Sudol as an indie musician and Waterson as an up and coming actress. All three are about to become major household names–especially Waterson, who plays Tina Goldstein, former auror and future wife of Newt Scamander.

Pottermore sat down with Waterson recently to get her reaction to filming her first major blockbuster (and CGI laden) film. Waterson said that for her, it was made easy–and it was all due to director David Yates.

“(H)e’s such a dear man. He brings so much joy to the set, but the real thing that trickles down from the top is his faith in this process because he’s been in this world before.”

Waterson may be American, but you can tell why Redmayne was more comfortable with her than the other American actresses he auditioned with–her speech patterns reflect being born in the UK (to American parents) and spending her childhood there before returning to the States.

“Usually on a movie, you’re going into new territory together and you’re like, “Is there quicksand around the corner, are there going to be wolves attacking?” Whereas David’s been here before so he’s just like, “You’re going to take a left here and avoid the quicksand” He has a shorthand and a comfort with the world. He’s not precious with it, he understands what it needs and what it doesn’t need and there’s something really comforting in that.”

“Especially when you’re filming with beasts you can’t see (yet): ‘When we’re incorporating things that aren’t actually there, to look at David and know he can see the world is… everything.”

Waterson also has major praise for Rowling, and her way of writing stories that are for both children and adults, calling her stories “tender without being saccharine.” Waterson describes herself as not someone who takes to well to the more Disney-fied children’s story, saying her reaction is usually “come on, get on with it.” But Rowling’s more English sensibilities appeal to her, as does this magical yet dark world. “It’ll kill me to finish filming it.”

Next: A Full Breakdown of the First Fantastic Beasts Trailer

Does that mean that Waterson will be in the sequels? She does marry Scamander and return with him to the UK wizarding world, so here’s hoping!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens this coming November in both the US and the UK.