Newt Scamander

Describing Newt as an outsider, Rowling said, "My heroes are always people who feel themselves to be set apart, stigmatised or othered. That's at the heart of most of what I write, and it's certainly at the heart of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.{{Cite web |title=Why Newt Scamander is a different kind of hero {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/why-newt-scamander-is-a-different-kind-of-hero |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}}

Newt Scamander grows up attached to the magical beasts since childhood and eventually becomes a magizoologist.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Nick |date=2019-02-28 |title=Newt Scamander's Backstory: What You Need To Know About The Fantastic Beasts Hero |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2467610/newt-scamanders-backstory-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-fantastic-beasts-hero |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=CINEMABLEND |language=en |quote=Newt may seem like an oddity to many of his fellow wizards, but working with magical creatures actually runs in the family. Newt's mother was a fancy Hippogriff breeder.}} He feels extremely connected to all his magical creatures and beasts, and always defends them.{{Cite web |last=Trenholm |first=Richard |title='Fantastic Beasts' is full of fantastic treats |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-harry-potter-jk-rowling-enchanting-conjures-monster-magic/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=CNET |language=en |quote=While it's sometimes tough to hear his whimsical whisperings, Scamander's guileless innocence and infectious love for the animals in his charge make him an endearing focal point for the film.}}

Presumably, Rowling created the character's name by combining terms related to animals — the nickname "Newt" is the name of a kind of brightly-coloured amphibian with a tail. The first middle name "Artemis" is the name of the Greek goddess of hunting, wilderness, and wild animals. The second middle name "Fido" does literally mean "I trust" in Latin — highlighting the fact that Newt Scamander is in Hufflepuff, the Hogwarts house of loyalty, while the same word in Greek (Φειδώ, φειδώ, Ancient Greek transliteration Pheidṓ, pheidṓ, Modern Greek transliteration Feidó, feidó) means "frugality/lack of excess" — "Fido" is also a common name for a pet dog. The last name "Scamander" refers to the River Scamander of Anatolia from the Iliad. The word itself is alliterative with "salamander" — species very closely related to newts in the class Amphibia — but in the wizarding world are lizard-like fire-dwelling creatures.{{Cite web |last=Harrison-Dengate |first=Eleanor |date=2015-05-21 |title=Newt Scamander: What's in a name? |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2015/05/newt-scamander-whats-in-a-name/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=MuggleNet |language=en-US}}

Harry Potter and Newt Scamander are rather different kinds of protagonists: Harry is a born leader who makes lifelong, unbreakable friendships at Hogwarts; while Newt is an unheroic hero, (but not an antihero), a loner and always thought of himself to be alone because his only close friendship is with Leta Lestrange that ended due to "rocky circumstances". Harry is daring, reckless, and short-tempered at times; while Newt usually remains calm and cool in a crisis.{{Cite web |title=Why Newt Scamander and Harry Potter were different kinds of Chosen One {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/why-newt-scamander-and-harry-potter-were-different-kinds-of-chosen-one |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}} However, Newt and Harry also share similar traits, as they are both brave, humble, loyal, protecting of underdogs, at odds with authority — mainly in the form of the Ministry of Magic — and fighting for what is right. Both Harry and Newt are "chosen" to fight evils: the bold Harry is chosen by his fate and guided by Dumbledore to complete his parents' fight; whereas Dumbledore sees a rather reluctant and bashful Newt just needs a little push to be convinced into just following his own innate instincts to do the right thing and fight Grindelwald.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-07 |title=Fantastic Beasts: 10 Identical Traits Newt Scamander and Harry Potter Share |url=https://screenrant.com/fantastic-beasts-newt-scamander-harry-potter-parallels/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}

Newt is also somewhat similar to Hermione Granger as both of them are intelligent and deductive — crusaders with "extraordinary luggage".{{Cite web |title=Why Hermione Granger and Newt Scamander are a similar sort of hero {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/why-hermione-granger-and-newt-scamander-are-a-similar-sort-of-hero |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}}

Born in England{{Cite book |last=Kogge |first=Michael |title=Magical Movie Handbook (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them) |date=18 November 2016 |isbn=9781338135220 |pages=9|publisher=Scholastic }} on 24 February 1897,{{Cite web |date=2018-11-22 |title=10 Little-Known Facts About Newt Scamander |url=https://screenrant.com/10-little-known-facts-newst-scamander-fantastic-beasts/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}} Newt Scamander developed interest towards magical beasts and creatures from a young age as his mother bred hippogriffs. Sorted into Hufflepuff at Hogwarts at the age of eleven, Newt develops a close friendship with a Slytherin girl named Leta Lestrange, who is in the same year as him and shares both his interest in magical beasts and his inferiority complex due to being an outsider. Newt and Leta explore magical creatures together and enjoy each other's company, gradually falling in love. One of Leta's experiments involving a Jarvey accidentally endangers human life. Newt takes the blame for Leta's actions and is expelled from Hogwarts instead of her.{{Cite web |title='Fantastic Beasts' tie-in book reveals reason for Newt Scamander's Hogwarts expulsion - SnitchSeeker.com |url=https://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/fantastic-beasts-tie-in-book-reveals-reason-for-newt-scamanders-hogwarts-expulsion-106190/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.snitchseeker.com}} Therefore, Newt turns bitter towards Leta but still remains much in love with her.{{Cite web |title=Who is Leta Lestrange? 'Fantastic Beasts' Is Only The Start For The New Character, Says Director David Yates |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-leta-lestrange-fantastic-beasts-is-only-the-start-for-the-new-character-says-director-david-yates-4315704 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Bustle |date=18 November 2016 |language=en}} Albus Dumbledore, Newt's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at that time, strongly argues on his beloved student's behalf. Newt is still expelled but is allowed to keep his wand because of Dumbledore's influence.

Around 1914 to 1918, Newt serves on the Eastern front during the First World War in a confidential Ministry of Magic program involving Ukrainian Ironbelly dragons. However, the program is cancelled as the dragons respond only to Newt, whilst trying to eat all others. Newt later joins the Ministry{{Cite web |last=Erao |first=Matthew |title=Harry Potter: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Newt Scamander |url=https://screenrant.com/newt-scamander-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts-sequel-trivia-facts/ |website=Screenrant |date=10 December 2016 |language=en-US}} and receives several promotions there due to his knowledge about magical creatures, eventually becoming a magizoologist. However, Newt's career choice is not appreciated by his family. In 1918, Newt is convinced by Augustus Worme to use his extensive knowledge about magical beasts to write a book on them. Newt begins to travel internationally to conduct research on magical beasts and creatures for his book.

{{Further|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film)}}

In 1926,{{Cite magazine |title=Here's How Fantastic Beasts Fits Into the Harry Potter Timeline |url=https://time.com/4572382/fantastic-beasts-harry-potter-timeline/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |magazine=Time |language=en}} Newt Scamander makes a brief stop over in New York with the motive of releasing Frank the Thunderbird into its habitat. Newt carries with him a magically expanded suitcase in which he carries several magical beasts from his voyage around the world.{{Cite book |last=Kogge |first=Michael |title=Magical Movie Handbook (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them) |publisher=Scholastic Inc. |year=2016 |isbn=9781338135220 |pages=10}} In a chain of chaotic events, Newt's suitcase is accidentally switched with the suitcase of Muggle (or No-maj) aspiring baker Jacob Kowalski; Jacob opens the suitcase and accidentally lets out the magical beasts. Newt teams up with Jacob, American ex-auror Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein, and Tina's Legilimens sister Queenie, to round up all the escaped creatures. Newt faces complications from MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) but nonetheless succeeds in rounding up all the escaped creatures with Jacob, Tina and Queenie's help. When Queenie learns of Newt's past through her Legillimency, she advises him to move on, describing Leta Lestrange as a "taker".{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay |publisher=Sphere |year=2018 |isbn=9780751574951 |chapter=Scene 92}}

Newt encounters a destructive and emotionally disturbed obscurial teenager Credence Barebone, whom Newt comforts and consoles with his kindness. When MACUSA aurors attack Credence and presumably kill him, Newt is the only one who notices that a tiny wisp of the obscurus flees (implying that Credence survived). Newt exposes that MACUSA auror Percival Graves is the infamous and dangerous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in disguise; Grindelwald is arrested. Newt prevents the exposure of wizarding world to the No-maj community by using his thunderbird to disperse a potion which removes all the No-maj's memories about the Obscurial battle. Newt receives respect and apology from MACUSA. Newt bids Jacob an emotional farewell before the latter willingly steps into the rain of obliviating potion.{{Cite book |last= |first= |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay |publisher= |year= |isbn= |quote=Scene 118}} Newt argues on Tina's behalf and justifies her mistake because of which she had been fired; thereafter, Tina gets back her job as an auror. A week later, Newt anonymously gifts Jacob some silver Occamy shells to help him sanction a loan and fulfill his dream of opening a bakery.{{Cite book |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay |chapter=Scene 121}} Newt bids farewell to Tina and promises to deliver a copy of his book to her in person, before he boards a ship to England and leaves.{{Cite book |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay |chapter=Scene 122}}

{{Further|Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald}}

In 1927, Newt Scamander's book Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them has become a bestseller and an approved Hogwarts textbook. In the meantime, Grindelwald has escaped custody.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay |publisher=W F Howes Limited |year=2018 |isbn=9781528822282 |chapter=Scene 10}} Albus Dumbledore secretly meets Newt and asks him to track and save Credence (now known by everyone to be alive).{{Cite web |title=Dumbledore and Newt will team up against Grindelwald in the new Fantastic Beasts film {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/dumbledore-and-newt-will-team-up-against-grindelwald-in-the-next-fantastic-beasts-film |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}} Newt is disappointed to learn from Queenie that a crestfallen Tina is dating someone after mistakenly thinking that Newt is engaged to Leta Lestrange, whereas Leta is actually engaged to Newt's elder brother Theseus.{{Cite web |title=A guide to the new characters from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-guide-to-the-new-characters-from-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}}

Learning that Tina is also searching for Credence in France, Newt goes there as well with Jacob (who has regained memories about the wizarding world). Due to an international travel ban placed on him by the Ministry, illegally Newt bribes a portkey tout on the Kent coast and arrives directly in Paris with Jacob.{{Cite book |title=Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay |chapter=Scene 47}} Both follow a wizard named Yusuf Kama, only to find Tina being held hostage by Kama. Unexpectedly, Kama collapses due to a parasitical infection and Newt's pet bowtruckle, Pickett, frees the three by picking the lock.

Newt captures a Zouwu, that had escaped earlier from a travelling circus, running rampant across the Parisian streets. Then the three take the unconscious Kama to Dumbledore's safe-house run by the alchemist Nicholas Flamel where Newt extracts the dragon worm that has infected Kama, so curing him. Tina, still put-out by Newt and his supposed engagement leaves, followed shortly after by Newt to infiltrate the French Ministry of Magic to uncover information about Credence's past. Eventually, Newt tells Tina that he is not engaged to Leta. He awkwardly tries to confess to Tina that he has fallen in love with her, but nervously blurts that she has "the eyes are as a fire under water" — like salamanders they say together — at which Tina's affections are rekindled.{{Cite web |last=Gladwyn |first=Lizzie |date=2018-11-30 |title=Salamander Eyes and the Moment I Finally Knew |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2018/11/salamander-eyes-and-the-moment-i-finally-knew/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=MuggleNet |language=en-US}} At the Lestrange family tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery, as Leta comes clean about a past mistake of hers to absolve Credence from Yusuf Kama unbreakable vow, Newt consoles a remorseful Leta as a good friend. Newt chooses to join the fight against Grindelwald after a destructive rally of Grindelwald's followers, during which Queenie and Credence join Grindelwald under manipulation, while Leta sacrifices her life to let her fiancé Theseus and the others escape. Flamel leads the escapees in saving Paris from a fiery destruction.

In an epilogue at Hogwarts, Newt presents Dumbledore with a magical silver vial stolen from Grindelwald by Newt's niffler, containing a blood oath pact Grindelwald and Dumbledore made in their youth that prevents them from dueling one another; Dumbledore believes it can be destroyed.{{Cite book |title=Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay |chapter=Scene 119}}

{{Further|Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore}}

In 1932, Newt Scamander nurses a pregnant Qilin, who births twins. Grindelwald's acolytes kill the mother Qilin and capture one of the twins, whom Grindelwald slaughters to gain precognition. However, Newt saves the younger Qilin twin and keeps him safe.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Ending Explained |url=https://www.thewrap.com/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-ending-explained/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |language=en-US}}

Albus Dumbledore entrusts Newt to form and lead a group to thwart Grindelwald's plans of world domination. Newt forms a team consisting of his auror brother Theseus, Muggle friend Jacob Kowalski, Ilvermorny Charms professor Eulalie "Lally" Hicks, his assistant Bunty and Yusuf Kama.{{Cite web |title=A who's who in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/whos-who-in-fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}} Newt presents Jacob with a wand as per Dumbledore's orders, much to Jacob's surprise and joy.{{Cite web |title=Fantastic Beasts 3: Why does Jacob Kowalski have a wand? |url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/harry-potter/fantastic-beasts-3-jacob-kowalski-wand |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=The Digital Fix |date=10 April 2022 |language=en-GB}} Newt, Jacob, Lally and Theseus are all shocked when Grindelwald is acquitted of all charges and is also allowed to stand in the upcoming election as a candidate. After Theseus is stunned and abducted by Grindelwald's acolytes, Newt infiltrates German prison Erkstag and rescues his brother. At Hog's head, Dumbledore reveals to Newt that Credence Barebone is actually the illegitimate son of his younger brother Aberforth Dumbledore. Newt attempts to comfort a guilt-ridden Dumbledore but in vain. However before leaving, Newt tells Dumbledore that he has a chance to correct his mistakes.{{Cite web |title=Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore Quotes |url=https://www.magicalquote.com/movie/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=MagicalQuote |language=en-US |quote=Even if we make mistakes, the terrible things, we can try to make things right. And that's what matters: Trying.}}

Newt, Theseus, Jacob, Lally, Bunty and Dumbledore reach Bhutan where the election for the new supreme mugwump is held. Grindelwald manipulates the election and deceitfully wins. But with Credence's help, Newt exposes that the Qilin which chose Grindelwald was already dead, reanimated through necromancy.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Mike |date=2022-04-17 |title=Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Ending Explained — What's Next For Newt, Queenie, And Mads Mikkelsen's Grindelwald? |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore-ending-explained |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=CINEMABLEND |language=en}} Newt releases the remaining alive Qilin, which chooses Vicência Santos as the new Supreme Mugwump. Enraged and defeated, Grindelwald flees, but not before his and Dumbledore's blood pact is broken in a chain of spells. Dumbledore sincerely thanks Newt for all his help; Aberforth accepts a dying Credence and takes him home. As Queenie regrets joining Grindelwald and renounces the dark side, she and Jacob marry. Newt attends the wedding as Jacob's best man. Newt is gladdened and rendered speechless to see his love-interest Tina there as well. The two reunite and attend the wedding together.{{Cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |title='Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' sidelines one of the franchise's main characters. Here's how their absence is explained away. |url=https://www.insider.com/where-is-tina-in-fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}

At some time after the end of the Global Wizarding War, Newt and Tina marry.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2017 |isbn=978-1408835050 |pages=87 |chapter=About the Author |quote=Now retired, he lives in Dorset with his wife Porpentina and their pet Kneazles: Hoppy, Milly and Mauler. As of 2017, Newt Scamander is still alive and well.}} Newt creates the Werewolf Register and the Ban on Experimental Breeding. Newt also works for the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau. In 1979, he is awarded The Order of Merlin - Second Class for his services to magizoology.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=Harry Potter: 7 Great Order Of Merlin Recipients (and 3 That Are Terrible) |url=https://www.cbr.com/harry-potter-best-worst-order-of-merlin-recipients/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=CBR |language=en-US}} He appears on a Chocolate Frog Card.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-29 |title=Harry Potter: 10 Chocolate Frog Cards You Never Knew Existed |url=https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-rare-chocolate-frog-cards/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}} His grandson Rolf Scamander—a naturalist by profession—goes on to marry Luna Lovegood.{{Cite web |date=2007-07-30 |title=J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript |url=http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/07/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=The-Leaky-Cauldron.org}} Soon, Newt becomes the great-grandfather of twins Lorcan and Lysander.

As depicted in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Newt Scamander visits Hogwarts in 1993 or 1994 for some unknown reason, thus appearing on the Marauder's Map.{{Cite web |last=Sarner |first=Lauren |title=Newt Scamander Crossed Paths With Harry Potter During 'Prisoner of Azkaban' |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/24385-newt-scamander-prisoner-of-azkaban |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Inverse |date=28 November 2016 |language=en}} Newt writes A Children's Anthology of Monsters, an edition for younger readers. As of 2017, Newt Scamander is still "alive and well".

The character received mixed reaction. Newt Scamander was chosen by IGN as their fifteenth favourite Harry Potter character, saying that Newt has very quickly established himself as a "very different sort of hero".{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2022-03-16 |title=The 25 Best Harry Potter Characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-harry-potter-characters |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=IGN |language=en}}

Cultural critic Jonathan McIntosh praised the character, stating that he "performs a refreshingly atypical form of masculinity."{{Cite web |title=The Fantastic Masculinity of Newt Scamander |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4kuR1gyOeQ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=YouTube}} Joshua Hansen from MuggleNet liked Newt Scamander more than Harry Potter and said, "Don't get me wrong, Harry is still dear to my heart [...] But when ranking whom I prefer, the man with the lizard [sic] for a name definitely takes the cake."{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Joshua |date=2017-05-16 |title=Why Newt Scamander Is a Better Protagonist Than Harry |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2017/05/why-newt-scamander-is-a-better-protagonist-than-harry/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=MuggleNet |language=en-US}} An editor from Looper approved of how Newt's character helped the Hufflepuff house to "step into the limelight".{{Cite web |last=Jasmine |date=2022-04-20 |title=Things The Fantastic Beasts Franchise Does Much Better Than Harry Potter |url=https://www.looper.com/838100/things-the-fantastic-beasts-franchise-does-much-better-than-harry-potter/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Looper.com |language=en-US}} Reviewer from The Guardian enjoyed Newt Scamander's personality and said, "All pigeon-toed angles and stuttering rushes of enthusiasm, [Eddie Redmayne's] great gift to the character is a crippling diffidence."{{Cite news |date=2016-11-20 |author=Wendy Ide |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them review – a winning spell |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/20/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-review |website=the Guardian |access-date=2023-03-09 }}

Eddie Redmayne, the actor who portrayed Newt Scamander throughout the films, also received positive reception. For his role in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Redmayne received the Best Actor Award from Empire Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/three-empire-awards-2017-rogue-one-tom-hiddleston-patrick-stewart-win-big/ |title=Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big |last=Nugent |first=John |date=19 March 2017 |website=Empire Online |access-date=10 March 2023 }}

Many critics disapproved of Redmayne’s interpretation of the character. Helen O'Hara from Empire wrote, "[...] he's so disconnected and withdrawn that he barely shifts facial expression from friendly blankness for the first half hour, when we really need him to guide us around."{{Cite web |author=Helen O'Hara |title=Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fantastic-beasts-review/ |website=Empire |date=17 November 2016 |access-date=2022-06-09 }} Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times described Newt Scamander as "charmless".{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=2018-11-08 |title=Review: 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' is one great big Dumble-snore |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald-review-20181108-story.html |access-date=2022-06-09 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times }} Charles Bramesco of Polygon criticised how Newt Scamander has "been remanded to the margins of his own franchise".{{Cite web |last=Bramesco |first=Charles |date=2022-04-05 |title=The Secrets of Dumbledore lets a zombified franchise lurch forward |url=https://www.polygon.com/23010623/fantastic-beasts-secrets-of-dumbledore-review |website=Polygon |access-date=2022-06-09 }}

File:Newt Scamander.jpg

Newt Scamander is a tall wizard with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Newt almost always wears his single-breasted, close-fitting, peacock blue overcoat, which covers his body down to his knees. Newt's primary dressing-manner also includes his dark brown suit jacket and trousers, burnt-orange waistcoat, ivory-white shirt, small bow tie and calf high leather boots which are weather-beaten and worn from his travels across the world.{{Cite book |last=Kogge |first=Michael |title=Character Guide (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) |date=18 November 2016 |isbn=9781338135237 |pages=15–17|publisher=Scholastic }} The various pockets in Newt's coat contain various potions and elixirs for Newt as a magizoologist always remains prepared.

Occasionally, he is also seen wearing his woollen black-and-yellow Hufflepuff scarf.

Eddie Redmayne expressed his thoughts about Newt Scamander possibly being on the autism spectrum.{{Cite web |last=Libbey |first=Dirk |date=2018-11-19 |title=Eddie Redmayne Does Think Newt Scamander Is On The Autism Spectrum |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2461728/eddie-redmayne-does-think-newt-scamander-is-on-the-autism-spectrum |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=CINEMABLEND |language=en}} Socially awkward, slightly eccentric and introverted around humans, Newt feels more comfortable around animals and connects better with them.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay |publisher=Sphere |year=2018 |isbn=9780751574951 |quote=NEWT: Not really, no. I annoy people.}} Newt's relationships with his magical beasts sometimes takes precedence over his relationships with other human beings. However, Newt does not lack empathy towards humans as his beliefs about the power of Muggles and his remarkable friendship with Muggle Jacob Kowalski "mirrors a certain Albus Dumbledore".

Newt is not afraid to show weakness, vulnerability or emotions. He attempts to avoid violence when possible, such as when he consoles the violently disturbed obscurial Credence Barebone by his kind, understanding and sympathetic nature. Newt is praised by his former headmaster Albus Dumbledore for always doing the right thing without seeking power or glory.{{Cite book |title=Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald - the Original Screenplay |isbn=9780751578287 |quote=You do not seek power, or popularity. You simply ask, "Is the thing right in itself?"|last1=Rowling |first1=J. K. |year=2019 |publisher=Sphere }}

Newt has a scientist's eye and the thirst for knowledge about magical creatures, with the motive of protecting them and educating others about them. Newt "bumbles" into the heart of danger, especially if a mysterious species is involved. Newt is fascinated by all sorts of magical creatures—those by which wizards and witches are deeply terrified.{{Cite book |last=Kogge |first=Michael |title=Character Guide (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) |date=18 November 2016 |isbn=9781338135237 |pages=13|publisher=Scholastic }}

Newt's expertise in Charms is seen as he is able to perform a highly-advanced Undetectable Extension Charm on the interior of his suitcase to expand the space within and hold innumerable magical creatures of different native habitats.{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |title=HERE'S HOW ALL THOSE 'FANTASTIC BEASTS' LIVE IN NEWT'S SUITCASE |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/24113-fantastic-beasts-undetectable-extension-charm-suitcase |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416212925/https://www.inverse.com/article/24113-fantastic-beasts-undetectable-extension-charm-suitcase |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=www.inverse.com|date=21 November 2016 }} He is also able to cast Atmospheric Charms to create separate natural habitats inside the suitcase for the magical beasts to survive. He is even able to create a magical bubble to contain and sustain an obscurus even after the death of its host.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay |publisher=Sphere |year=2018 |isbn=9780751574951 |chapter=Scene 47}} He could also successfully use a tracking spell, which he used to trace Tina.

Newt is particularly gifted in Herbology and Healing as he is capable of preparing medicinal remedies from magical plants and potions — such as when he swiftly creates a poultice through some fresh plants and some preprepared concoctions to control Jacob's unusually severe reaction to a Murtlap bite.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |title=Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay |publisher=Sphere |year=2018 |isbn=9780751574951 |chapter=Scene 46}} Newt also looked after magical flora and was familiar with their properties, keeping several potted plants on a shelf in his shed in the magically expanded suitcase that serves as his home for his magical creatures.

Polyjuice Potion is regarded as highly difficult to make.{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J.K. |title=Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |isbn=0-7475-3849-2 |chapter=Chapter 10 - The Rogue Bludger|year=1998 |publisher=Bloomsbury }} Since Newt was successfully able to brew the potion,{{Cite web |title=Polyjuice Potion adventures: ranked {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/polyjuice-potions-adventures-ranked |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}} it suggests that he is skilled in potion-making as well.

Newt Scamander's wand is made up of rather unusual contents: The wood of the wand is of Tropical Lime Tree, while shell and bone are used as cores of the wand. Newt's boggart is an office desk at the Ministry, because what he fears most is having to work in an office.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-27 |title='Fantastic Beasts': What does Newt's boggart tell us about him? |url=https://www.hypable.com/fantastic-beasts-newts-boggart/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Hypable |language=en-US}} When Rowling was asked by a fan regarding the form of Newt's patronus, she left it unrevealed for suspense.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-29 |title=Newt's Patronus Is a Huge Spoiler in Fantastic Beasts 2 |url=https://movieweb.com/fantastic-beasts-2-newt-patronus-spoiler/ |website=MovieWeb |access-date=2022-04-23 }}

In the film series, Newt Scamander is portrayed by Eddie Redmayne.{{cite web |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=1 June 2015 |title=Eddie Redmayne Officially Cast in 'Harry Potter' Prequel 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/eddie-redmayne-officially-cast-harry-799359 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603230157/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/eddie-redmayne-officially-cast-harry-799359 |archive-date=3 June 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |df=dmy-all}} Both J. K. Rowling and David Heyman stated that Eddie Redmayne was their "first and only choice" for portraying Newt Scamander. "Not only does he look as if he lives in 1926, but he has all the elements required to be Newt: he's smart, funny, utterly British, and immensely sympathetic [...]" said David Heyman.{{Cite news |last=Heyman |first=David |date=2016-11-12 |title=Fantastic Beasts: 'Eddie Redmayne was our first and only choice. He looks as if he lives in 1926' |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/11/12/fantastic-beasts-eddie-redmayne-was-our-first-and-only-choice-he/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113020257/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/11/12/fantastic-beasts-eddie-redmayne-was-our-first-and-only-choice-he/ |archive-date=2016-11-13 |access-date=2023-03-02 |issn=}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-07 |title=Fantastic Beasts: Eddie Redmayne AKA Newt Scamander Was The ONLY Choice For Lead, Says JK Rowling |url=https://www.koimoi.com/hollywood-news/fantastic-beasts-eddie-redmayne-aka-newt-scamander-was-the-only-choice-for-lead-says-jk-rowling/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Koimoi }}

Redmayne chose the character's wand himself from a number of different designs because he loved that it was "very simple" and "made of organic materials".{{Cite web |title=When Eddie Redmayne chose Newt Scamander's wand {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/when-eddie-redmayne-chose-newt-scamanders-wand |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}} Redmayne took the Patronus quiz on Pottermore twice and both times got the same result: a Basset Hound patronus.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |title='Fantastic Beasts' star Eddie Redmayne reveals his Patronus |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/09/30/fantastic-beasts-star-eddie-redmayne-reveals-his-patronus/91330666/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

During Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Newt Scamander as a teenager is portrayed by British child artist Joshua Shea.{{Cite web |title=The Actor Playing Young Newt Scamander In The 'Fantastic Beasts' Sequel Is Simply Magical |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/who-plays-young-newt-scamander-in-fantastic-beasts-2-joshua-shea-is-magical-9751002 |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=Elite Daily |date=12 July 2018 |language=en}}

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