John Lithgow
| Photo Credit: CHARLES SYKES
John Lithgow is nearing a deal to take on the iconic role of Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, sources confirm. The six-time Emmy winner would become the first actor officially attached to the highly anticipated adaptation, which aims to bring J.K. Rowling’s beloved books to life in a decade-spanning series.
HBO has remained tight-lipped about casting, stating, “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 finalise deals.”
Dumbledore, the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts, was previously portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the Harry Potter films, while Jude Law played a younger version in the Fantastic Beasts prequels. While Lithgow is American, he has successfully played British figures before, winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown and recently starring as Roald Dahl on stage in London.
The Harry Potter series is helmed by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, with HBO promising a “faithful adaptation” that will explore the books in greater depth. Filming will take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the same location as the original films, with a projected release in late 2026 or early 2027.
Speculation continues about the rest of the cast, with names like Paapa Essiedu, Sharon Horgan, Brett Goldstein, and Cillian Murphy rumored for key roles. Meanwhile, the search for Harry, Hermione, and Ron has drawn over 32,000 audition tapes. If finalised, Lithgow’s casting would mark a major milestone for the upcoming series.
Published – February 13, 2025 11:36 am IST
