A Behind-the-Scenes Exploration of Newt Scamander’s London Home

A brand-new behind-the-scenes video from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald explores the inside of Newt Scamander’s London home. In the video, Eddie Redmayne and J.K. Rowling comment on the thoughts and plans that formed the intricate menagerie seen in the film.

The ground level of Newt’s home is quaint and unassuming at first look. However, the basement is full of magical creatures that Newt is “highly illegally” keeping and taking care of. Eddie Redmayne, who plays the character Newt Scamander in the film, describes Newt’s home in this way.

The ground floor is very much a shell home. It’s not really where his world is.

Redmayne considers Newt’s basement a “hospital for creatures.” This is not dissimilar to Newt’s magical case that is seen mainly in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

J.K. Rowling talks a bit more about the meaning behind the layout of Newt’s home.

It’s such a great metaphor for Newt, on the surface so unassuming and deep down so fascinating and strange and deep.

Near the end of the video, supervising art director Martin Foley mentions a tiny but fun Easter egg for Harry Potter fans.

The stairs remind me slightly of the moving staircases in Harry Potter, so it’s a slight nod to that.

Check out the full video below!