The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : Veteran actor John Lithgow, renowned for his performances as Winston Churchill in The Crown and Arthur Mitchell in Dexter, has officially been cast as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Lithgow confirmed the news in an interview with Screen Rant, expressing both excitement and apprehension about taking on the legendary role.
Lithgow admitted that the decision to accept the role was not an easy one due to the extensive time commitment required for the long-running project. “Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up 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 said.
The Harry Potter TV adaptation, which is set to bring J.K. Rowling’s beloved books to the small screen in an entirely new format, is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027. The show is still in pre-production, with filming scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K.
With Lithgow’s casting as Dumbledore, HBO has made one of its first major announcements regarding the series’ cast. While Lithgow’s confirmation is now official, speculation remains around other major roles. Reports suggest that Gangs of London and I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu is in talks to portray Severus Snape, though an official confirmation has yet to be made. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await news on who will be cast as the central trio—Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
In the original eight Harry Potter films, the role of Albus Dumbledore was initially played by Richard Harris. Following Harris’ passing in 2002, Michael Gambon took over the role from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) onward, portraying the wise and enigmatic Hogwarts headmaster for the remainder of the series.
With Lithgow stepping into the shoes of one of the most iconic characters in literary and cinematic history, anticipation for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is higher than ever.
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