As I am a very proud member of the Harry Potter fandom, I think I can say confidently that life without new material has been very stressful. Sure, it's really only been five years since the last movie came out and yes, the fabulous Joanne K. Rowling has graced us with the North American Wizarding School, Ilvermorny, and a newspaper article from Rita Skeeter. That is besides the point. The point is that as a Harry Potter fangirl, the wait can become a little too much. But, I am happy to say that exciting things are happening in the Wizarding World with the release of the cast for Rowling's play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

For those of you who are a bit unfamiliar or, at least, not as obsessed as I am, this play is based off a story written by Rowling, the play's director John Tiffany, and official playwright Jack Thorne. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and it continues the story with the offspring of the friends we know so well. The official website summary is:

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

It's a two part play that is meant to be seen the same day (a matinee and an evening performance) or on two consecutive evenings. It's preview performances start in four days and it officially opens in July at the Palace Theatre in London.

The cast photos have been released and, you guys, I cannot express to you how happy I am.

Just look at the Potter Family. Harry Potter is played by Jamie Parker, Ginny Potter is played by Poppy Miller, and the young Albus Severus Potter is played by Sam Clemmett. Parker looks perfect with the iconic scar and glasses and according to Rowling, "There's a sort of relief watching him; he gets it so right."

And then we have the Granger-Weasley family. Hermione Granger (she kept her last name) is played by Noma Dumezweni, Ron Weasley is played by Paul Thornley, and their daughter, Rose Granger-Weasley, is played by Cherrelle Skeete. And a black Rose means I have (yet another) Halloween costume idea!

Finally, we have Draco Malfoy and his son Scorpius Malfoy. They are played by Alex Price and Anthony Boyle. Draco looks a lot like his father, Lucius, with his long hair and permanent scowl.

With this play (I'll likely only get to read) and the release of the movie "Fantasic Beasts and Where to Find Them" coming out in November, my happy little fangirl-self will be quite pre-occupied.