A new batch of characters and actors have been added to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2 , including the famous Nicolas Flamel. Following the massive global success of the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts, production for the sequel is in full swing. Back in July, the start of filming brought us the official synopsis and main cast list . Minus a few players, nearly every character from the first Fantastic Beasts is set to return. We may even see younger versions of some of them and will finally meet Newt’s former flame Leta Lestrange (Zoë Kravitz).


Since Fantastic Beasts 2 started production, there have been additional casting updates for the film. While Newt and his friends will be teaming up with Jude Law’s Dumbledore, Grindelwald will have some help of his own. Joining Johnny Depp on the villainous side of the equation will be David Sakurai (Iron Fist) as Krall. It turns out there will be even more villains and heroes joining the Wizarding World in the film than previously-reported.

Pottermore, the official Harry Potter site run by J.K. Rowling, has just announced 8 additions to the Fantastic Beasts 2 cast. Chief among them is the character Nicolas Flamel, who is set to be played by Brontis Jodorowsky. Flamel has long been referenced in Harry Potter lore before, and his Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone served as the crux of the first Potter book and film. Joining Jodorowsky will be Jessica Williams in an undisclosed role.


Like Newt Scarmander and Grindelwald, Flamel will be an interesting character to explore given how essential he’s been to the Harry Potter story so far as an unseen figure. The casting of Jodorowsky is also an intriguing one, as the actor has mostly stuck to indie fare. He’s perhaps best known for roles in the films of his father, the notorious Alejandro Jodorowsky. Williams, meanwhile, will be getting her big break as well after acclaim from her work on The Daily Show and the Netflix original film The Incredible Jessica James.


Alongside Jodorowsky and Williams will be German actor Wolf Roth as Spielman; Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife) as Bunty; Derek Riddell (The Missing) as Torquil Travers; Poppy Corby-Tuech (Harlots) as Rosier; Cornell S John (Captain America: Civil War) as Arnold Guzman; and Fiona Glascott (Episodes) in an unnamed role.


As Pottermore confirms, both Travers and Rosier are connected to the Death Eaters of the same name who were operating during Voldemort’s first uprising and returned during the events of Harry Potter. While Fantastic Beasts ostensibly started off as a side story within Rowling’s universe, it’s quickly become a series setting up the events we’re all familiar with. And considering a total of five Fantastic Beasts films are being planned, it will be interesting to see whether the title and focus on Newt wll fall by the wayside as Grindelwald’s war-waging is further explored.