Warner Bros. have announced a new film series that will be set in the same world as Harry Potter: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Potter fans will recognize the title, as it was used for a Potter spinoff book, presented as a Hogwarts textbook read by Harry, Ron and Hermione. The film will be an original story centered on the supposed author of that book, Newt Scamander. JK Rowling will write the first film herself, making her screenwriting debut.

Fantastic Beasts is a spinoff of the Potter series, set in the same universe, though Rowling cautions that it’s not intended to directly connect to Harry’s story. “Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world,” said Rowling. “The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets underway.”

The Harry Potter series has, of course, been a juggernaut, with the eight Potter films among the most successful ever and it’s hardly surprising that Warner Bros. would want to find a way for the franchise to continue. The only question was how this could occur, given Harry’s story was pretty complete.

The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them book that inspired the film.

Said Rowling, in her statement, “It all started when Warner Bros. came to me with the suggestion of turning Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them into a film. I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult. Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt. As hard-core Harry Potter fans will know, I liked him so much that I even married his grandson, Rolf, to one of my favourite characters from the Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood.

As I considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.”

Not shockingly, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won’t only be a film series. Notes the press release, “Fantastic Beasts” will also be developed across the Studio’s video game, consumer products and digital initiatives businesses, including enhanced links with Pottermore.com, Rowling’s digital online experience built around the Harry Potter stories.”

Warner Bros. will also partner with Rowling on the upcoming TV adaption of her book The Casual Vacancy, distributing the miniseries in all territories except the UK, where it will air on BBC.