‘Cursed Child’ Cast Panel, ‘Origin’ Panel with Tom Felton & Natalia Tena, ‘Harry Potter Pensieve Experience’ & More NYCC Exclusives!

Oct 05, 2018
Actor Interviews, Art, Books, Contests, Dale, Events, Exclusives, Fan Events, Fans, Felton, Felton Interviews, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Interviews, News, Products, Round-Up, Tena, Tena Interviews
Wizarding fans appeared at New York Comic Con yesterday–whether by broom, portkey, Floo Powder, apparition or, sadly, non-magical means–excited to see the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Tom Felton and Natalia Tena for YouTube’s Origin panel. Once again, Leaky’s editor and correspondent Amanda Kirk was onsite alongside other fan sites, such as Pottermore, to bring you coverage from the event! Keep reading for coverage, as well as tips for not-to-miss Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts material and actor at the event this weekend!
Welcome to #NYCC, #HarryPotter.
— SYFY @ NYCC (@SYFY) October 4, 2018
Are you ready to follow us around #NYCC ? pic.twitter.com/00Bbjsn6Hd
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
Harry Potter fans were easy to spot–no detectors from Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes needed–resplendent in their cosplay!
We're seeing some awesome #HarryPotter cosplay at @NY_Comic_Con !⚡#NYCC18 pic.twitter.com/6H73DuGUO9
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Panel
It turns out the Cursed Child cast weren’t too difficult to locate either, arriving in style–of the Muggle variety, that is.
And catch up with some old friends! The @HPPlayNYC cast have arrived in style. #NYCC #CursedChildComicCon pic.twitter.com/cbfAEDBUhp
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
Not quite the Hogwarts Express… ? pic.twitter.com/zRPq8WV5ga
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
When it was finally time to congregate for the Cursed Child panel, the fans went wild!
? We experienced magic on the stage today with the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child panel only at #NYCC! #CursedChildNYC @HPPlayNYC ? pic.twitter.com/M3Roq0d6Ni
— New York Comic Con (@NY_Comic_Con) October 4, 2018
The @HPPlayNYC cast are sitting down to a panel, fancy listening in? We’ll lend you an Extendable Ear… #CursedChildComicCon#NYCCpic.twitter.com/qOEkpL9Uzs
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
We're getting ready for the @HPPlayNYC panel at @NY_Comic_Con ! Yes, we have Hermione's Time Turner today😉⚡#NYCC18 #CursedChildNYC #HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/zjr9qEjzuN
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
And it’s important to start with the big questions. (House Pride is not to be downplayed!)
Alex says the main difference between the @HPPlayNYC and @HPPlayLDN audiences is that they are much louder in New York! pic.twitter.com/9np90OEy7z
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
The Cursed Child is set 19 years later, but where do the cast see their characters in another 19 years? Noma reckons Hermione would have lots of grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/iPKyhg3akp
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
When asked what house the #CursedChildNYC actors are in, @paulfthornley answered (to laughs) that he's in Ravenclaw, unlike Ron #NYCC #NYCC2018 @HPPlayNYC pic.twitter.com/lGZyCRb9u3
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Anthony Boyle (Scorpius) shared stories from his first comic con (where he helped “dress a ghostbuster” on the way in), and spoke about how long they’d been fans of the Harry Potter series for before joining Cursed Child. Alex Price (Draco) said he wasn’t a huge fan before the play, Anthony Boyle and Sam Clemmett (Albus Severus) had read the books. Poppy Miller (Ginny) said she first read the books whilst camping, Paul Thornley said he saw people on the tube reading Harry Potter, and has read the books, but gets teased by the other actors for not knowing anything! Jamie Parker loves the books, and although being a part of Cursed Child means working nights, he really wants to read the books to his son; he records himself reading 20 minutes of a Harry Potter book in the toilet every day to send to him!
When asked what the play means to then, Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) said that Cursed Child is about finding your identity, and Sam Clemmett chimed in, saying “it’s packed full of humanity”. Attendees were lucky enough to see a clip of the play, and see a video message from composer Imogen Heap (who is currently on tour and will release the soundtrack in an album titled The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child next month) – a first in Wizarding World history!
Jamie Parker, New York’s resident Harry Potter, explained why the play has a place within canon and within the fandom:
“[Deathly Hallows] leaves an awful lot of question marks and that, for me, is the need for this play.” – Jamie Parker at #NYCC#NYCC2018https://t.co/bx41n9iMEH
— Den of Geek News! (@DenofGeekUS) October 4, 2018
He even broke into song, which was unexpected and–dare we say it?–magical!
Jaime Parker – aka #HarryPotter in @HPPlayLDN – broke into song during #NYCC. Check him out and the rest of the panel recap: https://t.co/9sqHo6WJI3pic.twitter.com/shlJiC9gy0
— Dallas Jackson (@DallasAJackson) October 4, 2018
The actors also answered a few questions from the audience:
Ron, @paulfthornley said he doesn’t have a sister in real life but he feels like he has a sister now and he & Ginny, @Popski_emski hit each other!
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
The actors were asked who they'd play if they could switch roles in @HPPlayNYC . Draco, @alexpriceactor said Snape, @AnthonyBoyle would like to play Draco when's he older and @DickLeFenwick would play Dumbledore.
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Ginny, @Popski_emski said she'd like to play #HarryPotter !!#CursedChildComicCon #CursedChildNYC
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
They were asked how the play changes the legacy of the Malfoy family and couldn't say much re #KeepTheSecrets but Ron, @paulfthornley says “You’ll be pleased to know Ron still thinks he is an idiot.” Draco, @alexpriceactor says “it’s mutual”#CursedChildComicCon
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
They were asked what they'd want to teach if they were Hogwarts Professors and @DickLeFenwick “I was trying to think of something less prosaic than Defence against the dark arts but that’s it isn’t it? Homage to Lupin.#CursedChildComicCon
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
It was such an incredible experience getting to see the Cursed Child cast reveal a few of the secrets of the stage for the very first time!
‘Origin’ Trailer Debuts, Starring Tom Felton & Natalia Tena
We're live at the @OriginSeries panel at @NY_Comic_Con with stars and #HarryPotter alums @TomFelton and @NatTenaLady ! pic.twitter.com/rqp41rHAiV
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
A new YouTube Premium series begins next month starring Harry Potter‘s Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Natalia Tena (Tonks), and we were lucky enough to attend the NYCC panel, where the latest trailer for the sci-fi series made its debut:
The 10-part series begins November 14th, created by Mika Watkins, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and produced by those behind The Crown and Lost. The story is described as follows:
“[Origin] follows a group of outsiders who find themselves abandoned on a ship bound for a distant land. Now they must work together for survival, but quickly realize that one of them is far from who they claim to be.”
Tom Felton and Natalia Tena spoke more about their characters during the panel. Felton said that though he’s not a huge Sci-Fi fan, he loved the script for Origin, whereas Natalia Tena loves Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories, and is even a big collector of comic books! They’re also clearly loving that the series is partly a thriller, as – though he stars in the show – Felton said following the preview:
“My heart is racing. It’s one of the scariest bloody things I’ve ever seen.”
The show is reportedly “all horror”, and is described as a Lord of the Flies type story, where the characters are trapped in a horrible situation. Natalia Tena said she had a fun experience on set, and is most looking forward to her fight scenes. Tom Felton thinks audiences will enjoy seeing the “special lady” in his character’s life. He told audiences that he had a few injuries whilst filming the series, including slamming his hand into a wall! He held strong, and even though it was “p*****g out blood” he didn’t call the medic, and didn’t even stop the scene!
The actors also shared their most challenging aspects of filming the series:
On the hardest thing about working on @OriginSeries @NatTenaLady said Tena said was the “space goo-it was very slippery & everyone stacked it”#LeaveEarth #NYCC18
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
.@TomFelton said worst thing about working on @OriginSeries was working barefoot it was quite painful. Then he said actually it was that the writer was a Potter fan & kept calling him Draco!!!#LeaveEarth #NYCC18 #HarryPotter
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Felton also made a couple of Potter references!
“I’m used to some old geezer holding a tennis ball & pretending it is a dragon. Quidditch was not nearly as fun on set as it looks in the film.” — @TomFelton #LeaveEarth #NYCC18 #HarryPotter
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
.@TomFelton took a question on who punched harder, a man who punches him in @OriginSeries or Hermione: He answered, “You had to bring up the Hermione punch. Don’t underestimate Hermione based on her small size. Emma Watson will punch the s**t out of you.”#LeaveEarth #NYCC18 pic.twitter.com/8DlUrZHZcE
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
We can’t wait until the series debuts on November 14th! What did you think of the new trailer?
Audible and Pottermore’s Pensieve Experience
Audible also teamed up with Pottermore to present a one-of-a-kind fan experience.
This is exactly what we’re after, a giant Pensieve! Curiosity is not a sin, so let’s check it out… pic.twitter.com/hGAwDsXMm8
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
Audible, in partnership with Pottermore, described the “A Harry Potter Pensieve Experience” as follows:
“[It is] an interactive, multi-sensory content experience that brings fans even closer to the magic through an interactive, multi-sensory content experience, in celebration of 20 years of Harry Potter.
“’A Harry Potter Pensieve Experience’ is inspired by the Hogwarts Pensieve, a wizarding world object enchanted to recreate memories so that they become relivable. Fans can select a Harry Potter character to follow on an immersive audio journey, sampling some of their most memorable moments in the audiobooks that continue to capture the hearts of millions of listeners everywhere. This experience gives fans an opportunity to reminisce on iconic and favorite memories to celebrate the 20th anniversary.”
We had the chance to investigate the experience for ourselves, and chose Harry’s memories, which revealed special recordings of moments from Harry’s story, narrated by U.S. audiobook reader Jim Dale.
Next stop at @NY_Comic_Con : the #HarryPotter Pensieve Experience from @audible_com ! We chose Harry's memories of course⚡Don't miss it if you're there this weekend!!#hppensieve #audiblenycc #NYCC18 pic.twitter.com/h2T3333pMN
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Check out these videos from Pottermore teasing the memorable experience.
And courtesy of @audible_com , relive one of his memories… Sound on! pic.twitter.com/EpHk43FnF1
— Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
More pics from Harry Potter Pensieve Experience. Do not miss this!! #NYCCpic.twitter.com/y9ymFjHBJ0
— Book Minded Mag (@BookMindedMag) October 4, 2018
Syfy provided an in-depth account of the experience, recounting how participating fans walked down a corridor to the sound of narrator Jim Dale voicing Harry’s first encounter with the pensieve. Before entering the next room, fans were advised to consider which of six characters’ memories they would choose: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Lord Voldemort, Albus Dumbledore or Severus Snape. They then selected the appropriate vial, just like those from Dumbledore’s office, and proceeded into a space filled with ethereal floating creations intended to conjure the visual of silvery memories swirling in the waters of the pensieve.
Syfy elaborated on the next exciting steps, reporting:
“With a vial, one can approach four different stations set up inside. Insert the vial into each station which also includes headphones and a tall video screen. After placing the vial into the opening, a specific audiobook excerpt about a character plays as the image on the screen moves and changes.
“Each station plays a different moment related to the character. The “memories” aren’t in any specific order, so anyone looking for a more linear journey for a character through books one to seven won’t find that here. However, as Harry did with Dumbledore, one will be able to feel immersed in the select few moments that are there. These audiobook excerpts aren’t long, but they’re long enough for you to be thrust back into a classic scene from the series for a little while.”
Paul Thornley also had the chance to give it a go and chose Ron Weasley–no surprise there! He then spoke to Pottermore, alongside Poppy Miller, about how it went.
How was the Pensieve guys? pic.twitter.com/V6U1eVadbw — Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
Thornley, Weasley and Noma Dumezweni closed out their time with Pottermore by remarking on the fantastic reception they’d had at NYCC and how much they enjoyed the enthusiasm of the fans.
pic.twitter.com/knzXRXdxBV — Pottermore (@pottermore) October 4, 2018
“A Harry Potter Pensieve Experience” will be open at the Javits Convention Center for New York Comic-Con badge holders through Sunday, Oct. 7. So if you’re planning to attend, don’t miss it!
Dan Fogler Signs Brooklyn Gladiator & Dan Fogler’s 4D Experience Podcast Shirts
We caught up with Fantastic Beasts star Dan Fogler at NYCC, who was back where he was before getting the role of Jacob Kowalski – selling his comics to attendees! His latest graphic novel, Brooklyn Gladiator, is a “psychic-cyberpunk story” focusing on protagonist John Miller, so if you get the chance to meet Dan at booth #138, be sure to buy a comic, and he’ll sign anything! Look out for our giveaway of a shirt and signed copy of Brooklyn Gladiator, coming soon:
Look who we just saw at @NY_Comic_Con – @mrdanfogler ! Stay tuned to find out how to win one of his @DanFogler4DX t-shirts or an autographed copy of his graphic novel Brooklyn Gladiator!!
.#danfogler #fantasticbeasts #nycc2018 #danfoglers4dexperience #brooklyngladiator pic.twitter.com/Iz8SlcXeUm— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
#nycc2018 booth 138 #danfogler4dxperience #heavymetalmagazine #brooklyngladiator #moonLake #FishKill buy a comic book for $10 & I'll sign Anything & selfies are cool! https://t.co/wZGd3Q81Ax
— Dan Fogler (@mrdanfogler) October 4, 2018
Jelly Belly Harry Potter Exclusives
This weekend, Jelly Belly (booth #503) will host Artist in Residence Kristen Cumings, who is busy making a portrait of Harry Potter live out of jelly beans! Kristen is one of the only people in the world that uses jelly beans as her art form, and we had the chance to check out the masterpiece-in-progress for ourselves:
Look closely–this amazing portrait of #HarryPotter is adorned in Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans from @JellyBellyUSA ! Can you believe it?? pic.twitter.com/YMLrAIkSad
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
The portrait is expected to take the entire weekend to complete, so check back for a final image! We had a chat with Kristen about the portrait, and our friends at Transfiguring Adoption sent in a fun question about how many Bertie Botts she gets through when making a portrait. Watch our chat with Kritsen below:
The booth also give the chance to spin the BeanBoozled 5th Edition wheel, and try some mystery flavours of jelly beans, and take a look at Jelly Belly’s newest Harry Potter treats, including chocolate wands and gummi creatures – head over there to try these magical treats!
What a treat! We're at the @JellyBellyUSA booth at @NY_Comic_Con looking at all the #HarryPotter inspired goodies! Almost as good as the Hogwarts Express Trolley🍫🍬🍭#NYCC18 pic.twitter.com/dfW7GVAsZr
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2018
Funko Exclusives
Funko have unleashed their New York Comic Con exclusive figures, so look out for them this weekend! Figures include the Augurey (in collaboration with Amazon), Hermione Granger with Sorting Hat (with Barnes and Noble) and Professor Quirrell (with FYE) – be sure to check them out! See photos of the figures below:
Funko NYCC reveals: Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald
◘ Augurey (Amazon) pic.twitter.com/sfNJK76kQq— Funko POP Hunters (@FunkoPopHunters) September 21, 2018
Insight Editions – ‘Pop-Up Wizardry’ Panel, Signings & Exclusive Copies of Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts
Another booth to check out is Insight Editions at #1946, who are handing out beautifully designed cards (some featuring Harry Potter designs!), and previewing upcoming publications, including Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts – you’ll even be able to get your hands on some NYCC exclusive copies, if you’re fast enough!
More Popcraft fans! Our new cards are flying off the #nycc2018 shelves. Visit @insighteditions at booth 1946 to see what’s happening pic.twitter.com/PWjVV0BPkE
— Insight Editions (@insighteditions) October 4, 2018
On October 7th there’s also the chance to attend a ‘Pop-Up Wizardry Panel‘ with master paper engineer Matthew Reinhart, award-winning illustrator Kevin M. Wilson, and others to discuss the creation of Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts, and bringing the castle to life with 3D paper art. The panel takes place 1:15PM – 2:15PM on Sunday, in Room 1B03. Mathew and Kevin will also be hosting signings at 3pm on both Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th.
Take a look at the material Insight Editions are previewing here.
Doctor Who Panel Featuring David Tennant, Good Omens Panel with Tennant & Miranda Richardson
Finally, today, Friday 5th, David Tennant (Barty Crouch Jr) will be joined by ocDtor Who‘s Matt Smith and Alex Kingston for ‘Tardis Time’ – a panel about their time on the show. The panel takes place 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM at the Hammerstein Ballroom – don’t miss it!
Tennant will also be joined by co-star Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter), and Michael Sheen, as well as creator Neil Gaiman and Douglas Mackinnon for a panel on upcoming series Good Omens. The panel takes place 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Hulu theatre in Madison Square Gardens tomorrow, Saturday 6th.
There’s plenty of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts material yet to come at NYCC, so be on the look out throughout the weekend, and be sure to send or tag us in any photos via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!