Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: How we got here

Potter fans were sent into a frenzy in 2013 when rumours of a stage adaptation being produced began to circulate. Within hours JK Rowling announced that a production was in development, and that she was working with mastermind producer Sonia Friedman. Early rumours suggested the play would be a prequel, detailing Harry's early life as an orphan.

It's actually happening!

Over the course of the next few months and years, details slowly emerged about the play. In June 2015, JK Rowling revealed that This is England writer Jack Thorne had been brought on to write the script, and John Tiffany was to direct. By October, it had been announced the play would not be a prequel, but take place 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was confirmed that the production would open on the West End in July 2016.

It will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany and myself. #CursedChild

By May this year, it finally felt like Harry was on his way. As if it had a portion of Polyjuice Potion, the Palace Theatre was transformed overnight. A boy sat inside a huge nest with wings appeared on the facade. (But what does it mean?!)

And as if by magic… #HarryPotterPlay #CursedChild

A photo posted by WhatsOnStage – Theatre (@whatsonstage) on Apr 29, 2016 at 7:27am PDT

We got to meet the Potters

In early summer, we were teased with images of the cast were slowly released over a week. We got our first look at Jamie Parker as adult Harry, Sam Clemmett as his son Albus, and Poppy Miller as Ginny. As the days went on we got a glimpse of the Weasleys and the Malfoys in costume.

First Look: Albus, Ginny and Harry in Harry Potter play https://t.co/HgK675kx2w #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/MGKCFnkPn4