First major star officially confirmed for Harry Potter TV reboot in ‘total surprise’
'It's been such a hard decision.'
John Lithgow has revealed he has been cast as Albus Dumbledore in the HBO Harry Potter series after weeks of speculation.
The six-time Emmy-winner, 79, becomes the fourth actor to play the old wise wizard after Michael Gambon, who put on the half-moon spectacles after original actor Richard Harris died following Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Jude Law played a young Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts spin-off films.
US native John will also be the first non-Irish or British actor to take up the role, but he is well-versed in playing such characters. Lithgow won his most recent Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown.
Last night, John confirmed he made the ‘not easy decision’ to play Dumbledore which he predicts will ‘define the last chapter of my life.’
He told Screen Rant: ‘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.’
John was previously rumoured for the iconic role(Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) RIchard Harris first portrayed the kindly wise wizard in the first two films (Picture: AFP/AFP via Getty Images)The HBO production – which will be filmed in the same Warner Bros. Studios in the UK where the films were also shot – is due for release in late 2026 or 2027.
Harry Potter fans previously aired their thoughts on social media over John’s casting when he was rumoured – and the reaction was mixed.
‘A strange but interesting cast. Love John Lithgow but don’t know how to feel about this one,’ said @HomieSanto.
‘Weird choice. Maybe it could work but still odd…’ added @1MrPapi.
‘He would’ve made a great Mad Eye Moody too,’ said@onBrandVibes, adding: ‘I can’t see him playing Dumbledore but he’s a great actor, so I’ll give it a chance.’
However, others called the casting ‘perfect’ – as @colinkorbelas wrote on X: ‘This is actually a perfect casting.’
John played Winston Churchill in The Crown (Picture: Alex Bailey/Netflix)‘Great choice. Lithgow just gets better and better all of the time,’ added @MikeBinderjokes.
While the films whizzed past some details of JK Rowling’s books, this series is marketed as a ‘faithful adaptation’ of the original works, released from 1997 to 2007 over seven books.
So there might be a whole lot more Dursley storylines developed, and Ginny Weasley’s vibrant personality might finally translate to the screen.
Dumbledore is a major character in the story of Harry Potter; an orphaned boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs until he discovers he’s a famous wizard with a big old target on his back.
Headmaster Dumbledore is the main guardian of young Harry, but famously – spoiler alert – dies in the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, at the hands of double spy Professor Severus Snape.
Lithgow is currently in the news for his Oscar contender film Conclave, but is known for previous roles in The Crown, The Old Man, Killers of the Flower Moon, Interstellar, Dexter, Shrek, Footloose, The World According to Garp, Cliffhanger and Love is Strange.
Michael Gambon took up the role of Dumbledore after Harris’ death (Picture: Roger Askew/Shutterstock)The casting call for the new series launched in September, focusing on children from the UK and Ireland for the roles of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and their peers. Around 32,000 children were said to have sent in audition tapes.
Ever since the announcement, speculation has been rife on who will take up the most beloved roles.
Rumours have so far swirled that Paapa Essiedu would make a fabulous Snape, Sharon Horgan as Professor Minerva McGonnagall and Brett Goldstein for Rubeus Hagrid.
Others have thought Cillian Murphy would make a convincing Voldemort, including Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed the evil wizard in all eight films.
The news of the series comes as controversy continues surrounding the world’s creator, JK Rowling – who has been accused of trans-exclusionary remarks. The author strongly denies being transphobic.
A version of this article was first published on February 12.
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