Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them to receive its world premiere

JK Rowling's highly-anticipated Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them will receive its world premiere today.

The film, which will be the first of a planned five, stars Eddie Redmayne in the lead role of Newt Scamander alongside Colin Farrell and Katherine Waterston.

It is based on Rowling's book of the same name and set 60 years earlier than the novels about the boy wizard, in 1926 New York.

Johnny Depp has a cameo in the film and will take on a larger role opposite Redmayne in the sequel.

The cast have already said they were unaware of Rowling's plan to make five films in the series, before she revealed the news to fans.

The stars of the film, as well as director David Yates, are all expected to walk the red carpet at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

:: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is released in UK cinemas on November 18.