John Lithgow to play Dumbledore in new ‘Harry Potter’ series
John Lithgow to play Dumbledore in new “Harry Potter” series. | Image: Conclave, Harry Potter/Instagram
Award-winning actor John Lithgow revealed that he will portray Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” TV show.
Lithgow confirmed his casting to Screen Rant on Tuesday, Feb. 25, even as he admitted that he was “afraid” to accept the role as it might define the last chapter of his career.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes,” he told the outlet.
Dumbledore was previously played by the late actors Michael Gambon and Richard Harris. Lithgow is the first actor to be confirmed for the new “Harry Potter” series.
Lithgow is fresh from his portrayal as Cardinal Joseph Tremblay in the award-winning Vatican thriller “Conclave.” He’s also known for his performances as Winston Churchill in the first season of “The Crown” and as Sam Burns in “Terms of Endearment.”
HBO has been silent about the cast lineup, but British actor Paapa Essiedu is reportedly the leading contender to play Professor Severus Snape, previously portrayed by the late Allan Rickman.
The show is currently targeting a late 2026 or early 2027 release, and filming the episodes is slated to start in June in the UK.
The “Harry Potter” series is expected to have seven seasons, adapting each one of the “Harry Potter” books. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, who worked on the award-winning series “Succession,” will serve as writer and director, respectively.
In September, HBO announced its search for the next generation of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. At the time, they emphasized that they were “committed to inclusive, diverse casting.”
