On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we break down new scenes from the recently released Japanese Secrets of Dumbledore trailer, take listener feedback and talk about the 18 new character posters. Plus, we're joined by a very special guest to review Cursed Child in San Francisco! #Millennial co-host Pam joins the show to review the new-and-improved one-part Cursed Child in San Francisco! Check out new episodes of Andrew, Laura, and Pam's #Millennial every Wednesday. Subscribe via Apple , Spotif...
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 553
The latest (and final?) trailer for Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore is here! Overall the trailer is very Dumbledore-and Grindelwald-focused and we are here to pick it apart, scene by scene! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss that interesting Michael Gambon cameo, long-haired Credence, Jacob's wand, Dark Queenie, and more. Plus, is Theseus in trouble? Do we know some of the "new" beasts? And did Bunty get a promotion? Listen now! First, we stand with the people of Ukra...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 552
This week we're talking about black characters as well as people of color in the core Harry Potter books, the movie adaptations of those books, and the media that has come out since! Joining us as our honored guest is the amazing Adriana Redding , who led Hufflepuff Team to victory on Harry Potter: Tournament of Houses ! Together she, Andrew, Eric and Laura discuss the reasons why black characters are so few and far between, and what their diversity hopes are for future releases set in the Wizar...
Feb 22, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 551
Our mailbag is overflowing with feedback from our recent Snape and Lily episode, and people want to talk about Jacob in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts film. We hear from another one of our youngest fans, and even dig up a classic e-mail from 2006. All on this latest milestone episode of MuggleCast! Important Note: Next week, we're celebrating Black History Month by talking about how the books handle representation. If you're a listener of color and have feedback on this topic, please send us your...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 550
It's our annual Valentine's Day episode and this year we're switching things up to talk about the female friendships in the Harry Potter series! So... Happy GALENTINE's Day! Hermione & Ginny, Ginny & Luna, and Lavender & Parvati are just a few of the pairings we dive deep into! Also, don't miss our Top 7 Moments Male Characters Were Emotionally Vulnerable! Next week, we're opening up our Muggle Mail bag, so don't forget to send us your owls ! Don't forget to follow us on our new TikT...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 549
After the Potter series proved to be successful, there was the Twilight Series . Next came The Hunger Games . And then came Divergent ! Each series was marketed as "the NEXT Harry Potter ." But, they weren't really as successful as Harry Potter at all! On this special episode of MuggleCast, the hosts dive deep into what makes the tale of a boy wizard so enduring, and how the other series just didn't measure up in terms of financial success OR staying-power. We also compare HP to Star Wars and di...
Feb 01, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 548
In light of Snape and Lily both being born in January, this week we're analyzing the rise and fall of the relationship between the two characters! What did Lily initially see in Snape? Should she have given him another chance? And just how creepy is Snape's life-long commitment to Lily? Then, we unveil the Top 7 pickup lines Snape used on Lily... no wonder things didn't work out! Welcome back to our guest host and HP super-fan, Irvin! Irvin's book on Dumbledore titled Dumbledore: The Life and Li...
Jan 25, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 547
With just three months to go until the release of Secrets of Dumbledore , we continue our Fantastic Beasts character discussions with Jacob Kowalski! The heart of the Fantastic Beasts series is a true, loyal friend and partner. But what does the future hold for him? Slipping on a strudel? Getting lost in Newt's suitcase? Don't miss our Top 10 Ways in Which Jacob Kowalski WILL DIE! And next week we explore the loving/semi-toxic relationship between Lily Potter and Severus Snape, so send us your f...
Jan 18, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 546
We open up our Muggle Mail bag for the first time in 2022, as we take listener feedback on the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts reunion special! You wont want to miss our Top 10 Outtakes That We Don’t Know For Sure Happened During the Reunion But They Totally Did! Plus, did Andrew predict Jacob getting a wand five years ago?!? And speaking of Jacob, next week we return to our Fantastic Beasts character discussions, so send us your feedback ! What did we miss during our Reunion S...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 545
MuggleCast excitedly kicks off the year 2022 with their review of the brand new Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts reunion special! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they go "chapter-by-chapter" on the 100 minute show and discuss the highs and lows, cast members who were noticeably absent, and how the reunion special did or didn't meet their expectations. We also have a mail-bag show next week, so be sure to send us YOUR thoughts on the special ! 2022 started off with a brand ...
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 544
On this week's episode, we preview the forthcoming Harry Potter Reunion Special, dive deeper into The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer, take listener feedback on just what in the world Jacob is doing with a wand and look ahead to 2022! Plus, a bonus MuggleCast you won't want to miss - just what goes down at a Hogwarts Holiday staff party! Another year, gone (in your best Dumbledore voice)! We discuss the upcoming Harry Potter Reunion Special. The trailer was supposed to be released last week prior ...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 543
The first trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has finally arrived, and we're here to discuss everything in it! What's up with Jacob and his wand? Hey there, Aberforth Dumbledore! New Year, New Doo for Credence! And thank goodness that there are still magical beasts in this thing! We recorded this Secrets of Dumbledore trailer analysis just minutes after it was released Monday morning, so we go character by character and scene by scene to figure out what we can expect in the F...
Dec 13, 2021•53 min•Ep. 542
On this week's episode, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses makes it television premiere! And speaking of trivia, join us for Quizzitch Live: Holiday House Battle on Sunday, December 12 at 10 a.m. ET! In other news, our Fantastic Beasts character discussions continue with Queenie Goldstein. How has her character changed from Fantastics Beasts to Crimes of Grindelwald ? Welcome Slug Club member, Sam! We review our magical stats from this year's Spotify Wrapped! Welcome to our new listener...
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 541
On this week's episode, major news hits the fandom! We discuss the upcoming reunion of cast and crew from Harry Potter to celebrate the first film's 20th anniversary. In addition, the new, shorter version of Cursed Child is reportedly a lot more heavy on an Albus/Scorpius relationship! And finally we bring you our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they reveal what awesome fan-crafted finds they've discovered this year. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint ...
Nov 23, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 540
On this week's episode, we empty some owl post from our Muggle Mail bag! What would the 1998-99 Hogwarts school year have looked like? Why did Harry decide to become an Auror? Plus, we analyze several new Credence theories, a Chicken Soup from India and a horcrux email from 2006 that we’ll finally answer! We're confounded! Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is closing this January! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus says he thinks they got Harry’s scar wrong... and is interes...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 539
This week's episode is a movie commentary track for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone! The movie turns 20 years old this weekend, and you can finally watch along with the MuggleCasters. Listen as Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura share their insights and revisit the magical movie that launched the franchise. You need to bring your own copy of the movie in order to fully enjoy this commentary track. We will help you sync up with us at the beginning (Press 'pause' as soon as the WB l...
Nov 09, 2021•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 538
On this week's episode, we’re celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hitting movie theaters, and kicking off an incredible film series! Where were we on opening night? How did movie critics react to the first Potter film? Who would we cast in some of our favorite Potter roles? Plus, Eric as the Sorting Hat? Join us for the first of several episodes celebrating this epic movie anniversary! Good news: ALL episodes of MuggleCast are now available in our RSS feed! ...
Nov 02, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 537
On this week's episode, long time friend of the show Evanna Lynch joins us to discuss her new book, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting . She talks about the challenges in writing her memoir and the hosts ask her about her experiences as a newly published author. Her book chronicles a struggle with mental illness and an eating disorder, as well as her correspondence with JK Rowling via letters, years before she was cast as Luna Lovegood. Evanna was kind to answer all of our questions and give us h...
Oct 26, 2021•59 min•Ep. 536
On this week's episode, it's our annual Halloween extravaganza! We invent some of our own wizarding world candy, discuss what treats Potter characters would hand out for Halloween and Potter-ize your favorite Halloween movies! Plus, some new and exciting info about The Secrets of Dumbledore following a test screening in Los Angeles last week! A new behind-the-scenes look at Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore sheds light on where the film will pick up and what countries we will be visiti...
Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 535
On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we follow up on our original character discussion on Credence Barebone, aka Corvus Lestrange, aka "Aurelius Dumbledore"? Wading deep into prophecy, including forming one of our own using Nostradamus, the hosts try to answer the question: "Just what is going on with Credence?" Listen as we find some answers by reviewing the scenes and subplots of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. We heard from the creator behind Harry Potter Database and its astoni...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 534
On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we get back to our Harry Potter character discussions with the brightest witch of her age, Hermione Jean Granger. We discuss her personality traits, her academic prowess, and her overall perceptiveness. Plus, on Bonus MuggleCast on our Patreon , the hosts try to figure out if Hermione has a female best friend and debate which member of the trio is the "third wheel"? The Secrets of Dumbledore will hit theaters a week earlier in the UK. Why, just days after th...
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 533
On this week's special episode of MuggleCast, we finally have some Fantastic Beasts 3 news to discuss! The third entry in the Fantastic Beasts series will be titled, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore ! Also, a plot synopsis and new release date (April 15, 2022) are out! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss their first impressions of the title, what specific "secrets" the title may be hinting at, and we hear from Slug Club-level Patrons listening live who have some great t...
Sep 23, 2021•55 min•Ep. 532
On this week's episode of MuggleCast, Andrew has some news that's been 14 years in the making! Plus, we open up our Muggle mailbag to hear from listeners about our most recent Hogwarts House discussions (don't forget, you can find them all here: Gryffindor , Hufflepuff , Ravenclaw & Slytherin ). And on Bonus MuggleCast, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, we review deleted and unreleased scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! Andrew's long-awaited Harry Potter Vibrating Broomstick...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 531
This week, the MuggleCasters tackle the fiercest Hogwarts house of them all with their main discussion centered on Gryffindor! Joining the discussion is long-time friend of the show and boyfriend of Andrew, Pat! The panel of current and former Gryffindors talk about the good and the bad traits of Gryffindor, like why being bold can be a bad thing, and how being "daring" can mean you like to get into trouble. The hosts also examine Gryffindor's security system, ask why it is so insecure, and how ...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 530
Intelligence. Wisdom. Learning. Wit. Our four-part series on the Houses of Hogwarts continues this week with Ravenclaw (be sure to check out our Slytherin and Hufflepuff episodes)! Andrew and Eric are surprised with just how critical Micah and Laura are of their own house (but, honestly, would you expect anything less of Ravenclaws?). Join us as we "look down" upon the Hogwarts grounds from high atop Ravenclaw Tower and discuss some of the House's most notable members! Main Discussion: Ravenclaw...
Sep 07, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 529
CHOO CHOO! Join us as we head back to Hogwarts on this week's episode of MuggleCast! Andrew, Eric, Micah and Meg as they play a few games and discuss the school's prime locations for first kisses, homework, parties and more! Plus, with David Yates beginning a new project, could the latest Fantastic Beasts news spell more trouble for the five-part movie franchise? Last chance! Only one day remains to select your 2021 MuggleCast patrons physical gift! Join us at Patreon and make your selection bet...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 528
Coming off of the success of our last episode where we defended Slytherin House , the MuggleCasters turn their sights to that other maligned Hogwarts house: Hufflepuff! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss the qualities possessed by Hufflepuff students, examine why Hufflepuff does not get much glory in the books, and why everyone should want to know a Hufflepuff in real life. All that and more, on MuggleCast episode 527! Important: Only one week remains to select your 2021 MuggleCa...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 527
Welcome Tylor, President of the Wizarding World-inspired animal rights nonprofit, The Protego Foundation , and co-host of The ChickPeeps podcast with Evanna Lynch! Who is Tylor's favorite character? The answer may shock you (but is perfect for this episode)! Main Discussion: In Defense of Slytherin House What do we make of the first words revealed to us by the Sorting Hat about Salazar Slytherin? Does this introduction mislead us? Is there an argument to be made that Slytherin’s preference for p...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 526
On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we're discussing Tina Goldstein's role following the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald, and what lies ahead! Plus, we revisit our predictions made after seeing her in the first Fantastic Beasts movie. Welcome to Slug Club Member Deanna and Alohomora's Katy Haile! Fantastic Beasts Character Discussion: Tina Goldstein and her role in The Crimes of Grindelwald We revisit some of the things we mentioned back in Episode 320 during our initial Tina discussion to...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 525
It's another MuggleMail episode, folks! But first: The Cursed Child's North American productions are being condensed into one part! What does this mean for the show's future? It's time to announce this year's MuggleCast Patreon physical gifts : Throwback socks and a "Sweet 16" customizable wooden model car! Listeners must sign up to our Patreon and choose their gift by September 1st to be eligible to receive them. Voicemails from listeners concern Petunia's motivations for spying on her neighbor...
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 524