John Lithgow confirms Harry Potter casting as Dumbledore in new HBO remake
HBO’s upcoming reboot of Harry Potter finally has a confirmed cast member – and it’s none other than the headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow will take over from Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law, who have all played Dumbledore on the big screen.
Lithgow, best known for his roles in the series 3rd Rock From the Sun, The Crown and Dexter, as well as big screen turns in The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment and the Oscar-nominated Conclave, confirmed the news during an interview with ScreenRant.
He said he’ll be staying at Hogwarts for a long, long time.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me,” shared Lithgow. “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Sinema Şenlik for yet another sinema, 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.”
Indeed, the actor, 79, will be attached to the controversial remake for the next decade. The HBO show plans to adapt a book per season – meaning seven seasons if they don’t split them up – and has described the show as “a faithful adaptation” that “will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years.”
The show is reportedly eyeing a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere.
After the eight Harry Potter movies cast primarily British actors, the American Lithgow being cast as Dumbledore marks a significant franchise first.
Richard Harris played Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, while the late Michael Gambon took over the role after Harris’ death. Jude Law played a younger version of the character in the doomed Fantastic Beasts films.
Dumbledore remains the one confirmed casting for the new series, even if Gangs of London and I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu is reportedly set to play Severus Snape – first portrayed by the late Alan Rickman.
When it comes to the casting of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, nothing has been revealed so far. The show reportedly put out a wide casting call for the young characters, meaning the actors will most likely be newscomers.
The upcoming show is already proving controversial with fans because they’re protective over the franchise but mostly due to the involvement of author J.K. Rowling as an executive producer on the series.
The once-celebrated author has alienated and angered many fans through her contentious online comments regarding gender identity and trans rights – including the belief that trans women shouldn’t be allowed into female-designated spaces.
Last year, she was named alongside tech troll and Trump wingman Elon Musk in a criminal complaint filed by Algerian boxer Imane Khelif over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.”
