Katherine Waterston to play American witch in 'Fantastic Beasts'

BURBANK, Calif., June 16 (UPI) -- Inherent Vice actress Katherine Waterston is to star opposite Eddie Redmayne in the Harry Potter companion film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The announcement was made Monday by Greg Silverman, president of creative development and worldwide production for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Waterston will play the pivotal role of Tina, short for Porpentina, a witch who -- unlike the beloved British characters from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books -- "works her magic in the United States."

"Katherine Waterston is a rising star, who was a revelation in our film Inherent Vice, earning the praise of both critics and audiences. We are thrilled to have her back in the Warner Bros. family, especially in one of our most anticipated titles for 2016, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Silverman said in a statement.

David Yates will direct the movie from J.K. Rowling's screenplay. It is "inspired by" magizoologist Newt Scamander's Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film is scheduled for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on Nov. 18, 2016.