There has been some confusion amongst Harry Potter fans as to whether Voldemort’s snake companion Nagini in the original Harry Potter series is the same Nagini that appears in the Fantastic Beasts prequel series. While they share the same name and are both played by Claudia Kim, there are some key differences that suggest they are actually two separate snakes.
Quick Answers
Is Nagini in Fantastic Beasts the same snake as Voldemort’s Nagini? No, the evidence suggests Nagini in Fantastic Beasts is a different snake than Voldemort’s Nagini in the Harry Potter books/movies despite sharing a name and actress.
What evidence suggests they are different snakes? Nagini in Fantastic Beasts is a Maledictus (human cursed to transform into a snake) while Voldemort’s Nagini is just a regular snake. They have different backgrounds and serve different roles.
Why do they share the same name and actress? For continuity and reference to Voldemort’s Nagini but they are intended to be separate characters. The shared name and actress are just for fan service.
Nagini in Fantastic Beasts
In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Nagini is introduced as a Maledictus – a human cursed to ultimately transform into a beast permanently. Nagini’s human form is a woman named Nagini who works as a circus performer with Skender the circus leader.
Some key facts about Nagini in Fantastic Beasts:
- She is played by Claudia Kim
- She is a Maledictus, not a normal snake
- She is able to transform into a snake and back to a human (for now)
- She meets and befriends Credence Barebone in the circus
- She is of Indonesian descent and does not have any known connection to Voldemort yet
Voldemort’s Nagini
In the Harry Potter books and movies, Nagini is Voldemort’s pet snake and one of his Horcruxes, with a special telepathic bond to her master.
Some key facts about Voldemort’s Nagini:
- She is played by Claudia Kim in the movies
- She is a regular snake, not a Maledictus
- She is completely loyal to Voldemort and shares a telepathic link with him
- She was made into a Horcrux to protect part of Voldemort’s soul
- She has no known backstory or connection to the Fantastic Beasts storyline
Differences between the Naginis
While the two Nagini characters share a name and actress, there are several key differences that indicate they are not meant to be the same individual snake:
- Different magical nature – Maledictus vs regular snake
- Different backgrounds and storylines
- Fantastic Beasts Nagini is sympathetic while Voldemort’s is more sinister
- No definitive link between the two Naginis has been established
The table below highlights the key differences between the two versions of Nagini:
| Character | Magical Nature | Background | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Beasts Nagini | Maledictus (human cursed to become snake) | Circus performer | Sympathetic character, befriends Credence |
| Voldemort’s Nagini | Regular snake | Unknown | Voldemort’s pet and Horcrux, sinister |
Explanation for the Shared Name and Actress
So why did J.K. Rowling choose to give the Nagini in Fantastic Beasts the same name and actress as Voldemort’s Nagini if they are different snakes?
There are a few likely explanations:
- For continuity and connection to the Harry Potter series
- To tease a potential connection between the two Naginis that may be revealed later
- As an Easter Egg/reference for Harry Potter fans to spot
- To signal that Fantastic Beasts takes place in the same universe as Harry Potter
Having the same popular Harry Potter element appear in Fantastic Beasts helps connect the two series and universes for fans, even if the specific details around the Naginis don’t perfectly match up. It is a bit of clever fan service on Rowling’s part.
Conclusion
While the two Nagini characters share a name and actress, the evidence strongly suggests they are intended to be separate snakes at this point in the continuity. Voldemort’s Nagini has a very different background and nature than the Maledictus Nagini in Fantastic Beasts. This differentiation likely comes from Rowling wanting to tell a new origin story while also giving fans a familiar reference point. However, fans speculate future Fantastic Beasts installments could reveal more connections between the two Naginis, so their precise relationship remains fluid. For now, the similarities appear to just be a fun Easter Egg for eagle-eyed Harry Potter fans to spot.