John Lithgow is reportedly in talks to play Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” TV series.
John Lithgow in Talks to Play Dumbledore
According to Deadline sources, Lithgow is in final negotiations to play the famous Hogwarts headmaster.
HBO declined to comment but said in a statement, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
The new “Harry Potter” series is to be a decade-long seven-season adaptation of the books by J.K. Rowling. No acting announcements have been announced. The creative team includes showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner (“Succession,” “His Dark Materials,” “Killing Eve”). Mark Mylod (“Succession,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Last of Us”) will executive produce and direct multiple episodes. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films also executive produce. It was originally set to be a Max Original but will now be an HBO Original.
Rowling famously required British actors to play British characters in WB’s “Harry Potter” films, but if the rumor of the American Lithgow’s casting is true, it seems she changed her tune.
Lithgow has played British characters, including Winston Churchill in “The Crown,” for which he won an Emmy Award. He recently played British author Roald Dahl in “Giant” on London’s West End.
In the “Harry Potter” films, Dumbledore was originally played by Richard Harris. After he passed, Michael Gambon took over the role of Harry’s mentor. Jude Law portrayed a younger Dumbledore in two “Fantastic Beasts” prequel films. Toby Regbo played an even younger Albus in flashbacks in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Lithgow, 79, is a prolific actor. He’s received six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Tony Awards, and was nominated for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. He recently co-starred in “Conclave” and “The Old Man.” He stars in the upcoming “Jimpa” and “The Rule of Jenny Pen.” Universal fans will recognize him as the voice of Lord Farquaad in “Shrek.” He is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content, Hansen Jacobson Teller, and Viewpoint.
Last fall, HBO posted open casting calls for the “Golden Trio” of the “Harry Potter” series: Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Reportedly 32,000 kids sent in audition tapes.
The “Harry Potter” TV series will be filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. It will air on HBO in late 2026 or early 2027. See the series announcement below.
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