The world of Harry Potter doesn't just return to big screens this year with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The universe that gave us Hogwarts, butterbeer and Dumbledore will also return to fans via the London stage with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Even more importantly, though, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will bring some beloved characters from the books and movies back to life as their more mature, adult versions. That includes Harry Potter himself, as well as Ginny Weasley Potter.
J.K. Rowling recently released the first photos of those characters on Pottermore as they will appear in the play, showing off Harry, Ginny and their son Albus Severus Potter.
And although the actors portraying Harry and Ginny are different from the movies, there's no denying that the resemblances with their older counterparts are striking. Here are the first photos of Jamie Parker as Harry, Poppy Miller as Ginny and Sam Clemmett as their son.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play that will premiere in London on July 30. The story will look at the life of the older Harry, who is now 19 years older than he was in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry now works for the Ministry of Magic, but still grapples with a past that refuses to leave him alone. Meanwhile, his son Albus must deal with the Potter legacy.
Rowling previously stated that the play serves as the "eighth Harry Potter story." Fortunately, fans unable to attend the London performances can read that story as a book. A Special Rehearsal Edition of the book will be released on July 31, followed by a Definitive Collector's Edition, based on any changes made to the play.
Fans familiar with the books and movies will notice some minor changes to various details in the play, but this is still the Harry Potter universe they know and love.
"With all the character's costumes we want them to be instantly familiar when people see them, so that people feel like the story's safe in our hands, and that we're taking that responsibility seriously," Parker said. "It's a unique gig in the sense that you have seven volumes of backstory that you get to bring on with you. And we were all very keen to make sure that the first time you see Harry it just feels right."
