• Andrew is back and talks about his time in London!
• A controversial statement (of sorts) about the Harry Potter Studio Tour
• How did the studio tour compare to Andrew’s set visits back in the day?
• Another Illustrated Edition is on the way (and it’s probably not the one you think)
• Patreon Question: What book from the Wizarding World would you like JKR to write next?
• Our main discussion focuses on the newly released Fantastic Beasts book
• Newt was a spy for Dumbledore (according to Rita Skeeter)
• Dumbledore’s relationship with Newt was “more than a schoolteacher”
• Six new beasts make the cut and one goes missing
• A key word in Newt’s foreword is changed
• Our voicemail line is now open and Micah gets generous with our first callers
• Bonus MuggleCast: New theme park expansion
• See you in April for weekly episodes and our review of the Fantastic Beasts Blu-ray
• This week’s sponsors: BlueApron.com/MuggleCast and Mack Weldon (enter ‘MUGGLE’ at checkout for 20% off!)

Patrons can listen to the show ad-free over on Patreon.

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Running time: 1:18:31, 47.1 MB

• MuggleCast will be returning to weekly format in April! Thanks, Patrons!
• An unprepared/underwhelming Oscars acceptance speech
• Fantastic Beasts now on digital release – new clips abound!
• The Studio tour is expanding again!
• Audiobooks, new words and theater nominations for Cursed Child.
• Listener question: What is your earliest Harry Potter memory?
• Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban illustrated edition cover is revealed! Is Ernie Prang related to Dumbledore?
• The colors remind us of Goosebumps books. Listeners also weigh in.
• One more early HP experience to note

Patrons can listen to the show ad-free over on Patreon.

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Running time: 1:19:02, 47.4 MB

• Andrew’s worlds collide when The Boss’ Harry Potter song finally surfaces! (Sorry, it’s currently unavailable online)
• Cursed Child auditions are underway – we’re all too tall!
• Dumbledore casting update
• Fantastic Beasts is nominated for two Oscars – we’re not holding our breath!
• Our main discussion takes listener questions on the Fantastic Beasts core four
• How will Newt factor in to the larger wizarding war and the Dumbledore vs. Grindelwald battle?
• How much does Jacob truly remember? Will he make it out alive? Will he be more than the silly sidekick?
• Did Jacob and Queenie have a family? Quentin Kowalski would seem to suggest so.
• What will Tina’s new role be? Will she take Graves’ position? And possibly lead U.S. magical forces against the growing threat in Europe?
• What was the relationship between Tina and the real Graves like?
• Can Queenie turn off her powerful legilimancy abilities? How does she handle all of that information? What other talents can wizards and witches be born with?
• How can Queenie use her powers in the war to come?
• We announce The Slug Club – a brand-new level for patrons! Visit our Patreon to check it out and pledge.
• PO Box update (thank you to everyone who sent us mail) and our voicemail line is returning!
• In Bonus MuggleCast we discuss a potential LEGO Harry Potter movie after Voldemort had a big role in the LEGO Batman Movie.

Patrons can listen to the show ad-free over on Patreon.

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Running time: 1:07:00, 64.1 MB

• We review the new House editions of Philosopher’s Stone from Bloomsbury
• Andrew reveals his true allegiance(s)
• Kreacher has passed on at age 666
• What tweet about a popular Fantastic Beasts theory did J.K. Rowling like three times?
• Zoe Kravitz talks Newt and Leta
• Fantastic Beasts Mailbag
• We theorize a bit more on why Newt left Hogwarts
• Was Dumbledore a target of Grindelwald’s from the onset?
• Will Dumbledore be portrayed in a less than positive light in future films? Will his relationship with Grindelwald be showcased at all?
• Chances we get a Tom Riddle cameo? What other families/characters can we expect to run into?
• What will happen to Credence in the next film?
• The creepy Death Cell inside MACUSA
• What exactly happens to witches and wizards born to No-Majs in the U.S.?
• The Dueling Club and Make The Connection return!
• In Bonus MuggleCast we offer updates on the original trio. Plus: Does Dan really want to do a Cursed Child movie?

Patrons can listen to the show without advertising right here.

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Running Time: 1:17:44, 47 MB

• We pay tribute to the late John Hurt
• The truth behind Never Sever Us
• The Rubbish Bin on JKR’s site returns… with a Cursed Child focus
• Follow The Spiders – what does it mean?
• The Fantastics Beasts DVD/Blu-ray gets a release date!
• We listen to the deleted scene featuring the Ilvermorny house song!
• Eddie Redmayne will read the new Fantastic Beasts audiobook
• We revisit Fantastic Beasts: Jeanna compares the screening in Chicago to the final product
• Jacob’s fiancee
• How the big Grindelwald reveal went down
• Theme park expansion rumors abound in Bonus MuggleCast

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Running Time: 1:09:41, 96.1 MB

In our first episode of 2017, Andrew shares recent stories from the real Wizarding World, and surprises Micah and Eric with news about his hit fan fiction, Never Sever Us.

• Andrew’s now a published author! (Photos of the book are at the bottom of this post — Thank you, Kendra!)
• …and has tasted hot Butterbeer!
• …and has traded houses to become a Slytherin!
• What does it mean that Grindelwald was a seer?
• The new Fantastic Beasts covers have been revealed!
• We dive deep into the launch of JKR’s new website (which definitely has a nostalgic feel)
• Jo answers some FAQs about Fantastic Beasts and we analyze
• Why couldn’t Newt just apparate to the USA? Why did he go through No-Maj customs? Why couldn’t Newt ‘accio’ all of his beasts safely back to his briefcase?
• Why isn’t Veritaserum used in interrogations?
• Why did ‘revelio’ undo the effects of the Polyjuice Potion?
• Why didn’t Harry Potter develop an Obscurus?
• Twitter Question: What uncommon element(s) from the HP books or films do you want to see become important in the FB series?
• MuggleCast is sponsored by Blue Apron. Click here to get your first three meals free!
• Patron supporters can listen to this episode ad-free and get the latest installment of Bonus MuggleCast!

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Running Time: 1:12:30, 43.5 MB

Never Sever Us photos:

It’s our final episode of 2016! To send out an amazing year, we recap our latest trip around the sun, discuss recent news, and more. We’re joined by Hypable.com’s Danielle Zimmerman, a longtime listener making her on-air debut.

• Scorbus may be real after all
• Cursed Child tops Amazon’s Best-Selling Books of 2016
• Our Main Discussion centers around Newt’s expulsion from Hogwarts
• New info surrounding Newt and Leta is found in the Case of Beasts!
• Parallels to Hagrid and Aragog – did Newt’s situation set a precedent?
• It’s clear Newt took the blame for Leta, but why?
• The beast in question is revealed: what is a Jarvey?
• Patrons weigh in with their thoughts on Newt and Leta’s relationship
• We take a look back on the Year in Potter, including Fantastic Beasts, The Cursed Child, Ilvermorny, The Patronus Quiz and Alan Rickman
• Twitter Question: What more would you want to learn about the American Wizarding World?
• Thanks to Renee for the Christmas card!

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Running time: 1:12:31, 42.6 MB

– Lin-Manuel Miranda sparks Half-Blood Prince/Deathly Hallows debate
– Hot Butterbeer has arrived at the Wizarding World in Los Angeles
– A new spider honors a Hogwarts founder and his sorting hat
– Main Discussion: Was Ariana Dumbledore an Obscurus?
– We analyze the evidence from Credence and Aberforth Dumbledore
– How will her death play into future Fantastic Beasts films?
– Did Grindelwald’s interest in Ariana as an obscurus lead to his falling out with Albus?
– Pottermore releases new writing on Ariana just weeks after Fantastics Beasts – coincidence?
– Obscurus Books… the official publisher of Fantastic Beasts actually exists in Diagon Alley!
– What Fantastic Beasts creature are you? Find out!
– Email: Was the death of Credence not properly handled?

In this week’s Bonus MuggleCast, available on Patreon: A prop recently discovered at a Fantastic Beasts exhibit reveals that Theseus Scamander was tasked with searching down Grindelwald. What does this mean for Newt and his brother in future FB movies?

Download Now (Running time: 1:20:34, 46.3 MB) OR, now read the Episode 306 Transcript!

– Our spoiler-filled review of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them!
– Those opening credits! We’re back in the wizarding world (with no expectations) and it’s massively refreshing!
– Our initial thoughts on Newt, Tina, Jacob, Queenie, Graves and Creedence
– Another wizarding family gets name-dropped (and its not the Dumbledores)
– Obscurus: say what? And why this may not be the first time we’ve encountered one!
– Inside the Newtcase: will the beasts be used to fight in the future?
– Even thought we’re leaving New York, have we seen the end of certain characters?
– We breakdown the clues leading up to the big reveal!
– We anticipate Nifflers and Bowtruckles will top fan holiday wish lists

Download Now OR, now read the Episode 305 Transcript!

• The gang is all together in NYC for a special charity screening of Fantastic Beasts
• We’re recording in-person for the first time in 9 years
• There may or may not be some hand-holding
• We discuss the recent casting of Johnny Depp and the news of the series spanning 19 years
• Our initial reactions to Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, all presented in a spoiler-free manner
• Returning to the Wizarding World five years after the release of Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Characters, beasts, 1920s New York – it’s all on the table for discussion (with Eric’s sorta-working microphone)
• Our full spoiler episode coming later this week!
• Congrats to our Halloween Contest winners

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Running time: 1:01:30, 38 MB