Theseus Scamander

Theseus Scamander was a powerful and influential British pure-blood or half-blood wizard who served as the Head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic during the 1920s and 1930s. He was the older brother of the famous Magizoologist Newt Scamander. Regarded as a “war hero” for his service in the First World War, Theseus was a key figure in the international effort to combat the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. He represented the established magical government, initially clashing with his brother's unconventional methods before becoming a trusted ally in Albus Dumbledore's fight against Grindelwald's forces. (Fantastic Beasts film series)

All information regarding the life of Theseus Scamander is derived from the Fantastic Beasts film series and supplementary materials, as he is not mentioned in the original seven Harry Potter novels.

• Early Life and Hogwarts Years

Theseus was born into the Scamander family, the older brother of Newt Scamander. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he was sorted into Hufflepuff House. (Pottermore) He was a highly accomplished student. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)

• Ministry Career and War Hero Status

After graduating from Hogwarts, Theseus joined the Ministry of Magic and trained to become an Auror. He was a participant in the First World War (1914-1918) and was recognized for his bravery, being described as a “war hero.” By 1927, he had risen to the prestigious position of Head of the Auror Office within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. In his official capacity, he attempted to recruit his brother Newt to help track down Gellert Grindelwald, a task Newt refused. During this period, Theseus became engaged to Leta Lestrange, a former close friend of his brother's from Hogwarts. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)

• The Global Wizarding War

Theseus was at the forefront of the Ministry's efforts to stop Gellert Grindelwald. Despite his official duties, he was often at odds with Newt's more secretive and independent actions. He traveled to Paris to investigate Grindelwald's activities and was present at the Lestrange Mausoleum for the dark wizard's rally. There, he tragically witnessed the death of his fiancée, Leta Lestrange, who sacrificed herself to save him and his brother from Grindelwald's enchanted flames. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)

  Following Leta's death, a grieving Theseus became more willing to work outside the strict confines of Ministry law. He joined the informal group assembled by [[Albus Dumbledore]] to thwart [[Gellert Grindelwald|Grindelwald's]] plans, which included his brother Newt, [[Jacob Kowalski]], Professor [[Eulalie Hicks]], and [[Yusuf Kama]]. He traveled with the group to Germany and later to Bhutan, where he played a crucial role in confusing [[Gellert Grindelwald|Grindelwald's]] followers during the election for the Supreme Mugwump of the [[International Confederation of Wizards]]. (//Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore//)

In the Fantastic Beasts films, Theseus is portrayed as a tall man with short, dark brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He typically dresses in the sharp, well-tailored suits befitting a high-ranking Ministry of Magic official. (film) Theseus is a man defined by duty, order, and authority. He is confident, brave, and a natural leader, but can also come across as officious and somewhat arrogant. He holds the laws and procedures of the Ministry of Magic in high regard, which initially puts him in conflict with Newt's more maverick personality. Beneath his stern exterior, Theseus is deeply caring, demonstrated by his profound love for Leta Lestrange and his fierce, protective affection for his younger brother, even when they disagree. The loss of Leta softened his rigid adherence to protocol, showing his capacity for immense grief and his willingness to adapt for the greater good.

• Duelling: As Head of the Auror Office, Theseus was an exceptionally skilled duellist, capable of holding his own against multiple dark wizards simultaneously. He was proficient in a wide range of offensive and defensive spells. (film)
• Leadership: He was a respected and capable leader, entrusted with command over Britain's entire force of Aurors. (film)
• Charms and Transfiguration: He demonstrated proficiency with a variety of powerful spells, including producing a strong Shield Charm and using Transfiguration in combat situations. (film)
• Apparition: Like most adult wizards, he was able to Apparate effectively.

• Wand: Theseus's primary magical instrument. Its wood, core, and length are unknown. The film prop is a dark, sturdy-looking wand with a handle encased in what appears to be mother-of-pearl. (film)

• Newt Scamander: His relationship with his younger brother was complex, marked by both deep affection and frequent exasperation. Theseus worried about Newt's unconventional lifestyle and his tendency to flout rules, often trying to guide him towards a more “respectable” path. Their shared love for Leta Lestrange and their united front against Gellert Grindelwald ultimately strengthened their bond, leading to a more profound mutual respect and understanding.
• Leta Lestrange: Theseus was deeply in love with his fiancée, Leta. He was seemingly unaware of the full, complicated history she shared with Newt. Her death was a devastating blow that fundamentally changed him.
• Albus Dumbledore: While initially operating under the Ministry's command, Theseus came to trust and follow Dumbledore's guidance in the war against Gellert Grindelwald, becoming a vital member of Dumbledore's “first army.”
• Porpentina Goldstein: He knew Tina Goldstein through her work as an American Auror and interacted with her on a professional level. (film)

• Theseus: In Greek mythology, Theseus was a great hero and king of Athens. He is most famous for navigating a complex Labyrinth to slay the Minotaur. This name suggests heroism, leadership, and the ability to find a path through difficult and convoluted situations, much like his navigating the political and strategic challenges of the war against Gellert Grindelwald.
• Scamander: The name of a river god in Greek mythology who fought on the side of the Trojans during the Trojan War. The name connects both Theseus and Newt to classical mythology and the natural world.

• Theseus Scamander is a character created specifically for the Fantastic Beasts film series. He does not appear, nor is he mentioned, in the seven original Harry Potter novels.
• He is portrayed by English actor Callum Turner in the films Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. (film)
• A letter from Theseus to Newt can be seen in Newt's workshop in the first Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film, marking his first appearance in the franchise, albeit off-screen. (film)