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John Lithgow confirms that he will play Albus Dumbledore in theHarry PotterTV show. Following the success of the eight Warner Bros. films, J. K. Rowling’s beloved book series is now set to make the jump to the small screen in a new series on HBO. Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner for theHarry PotterTV show, but who will star in the series has remained a mystery. Last week, it was reported that Lithgow could be nearing a deal to star as Dumbledore, a role previously played by the late actors Michael Gambon and Richard Harris.
In an interview withScreenRant’s Liam Crowley today to promote his new project,The Rule of Jenny Penn,Lithgow now officially confirms that he has been cast as the Hogwarts Headmaster in HBO’sHarry PotterTV show. Though the actor, who is 79, doesn’t spill any details about the series, he does admit that the decision to accept was challenging because of the immense time commitment at this stage of his career. Check out Lithgow’s comment below:
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.
UPDATE: 2025-08-14 21:02 EST BY MATTHEW RUDOY
John Lithgow’s Harry Potter Deal Status Clarified
While Lithgow says he has accepted the role,ScreenRanthas learned that his deal to star in theHarry PotterTV show has not yet officially closed. HBO provided the following statement when asked for comment:
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 HBO Series Is Inching Closer
The Harry Potter Remake’s Dumbledore Actor Plan Breaks The Movies’ Cardinal Rule, And Now All Casting Bets Are Off
The Harry Potter TV show is set to recapture the magic of the books, but one of the first casting rumors suggests it’s already pulling away.
With Lithgow having now broken the seal, so to speak, it’s possible that more casting announcements will follow in the weeks ahead. So far, it’s been reported thatPaapa Essiedu has been eyed to play Severus Snapein the show, and confirmation on this could arrive in the near future. Who will play the main trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley has so far remained a mystery, but the show reportedly put out a wide casting call for the young characters, meaning the actors chosen may not be recognizable names.
An American joining the show means it may not be putting as much of a focus on casting only British actors.
One aspect of Lithgow’s casting that is particularly interesting is the fact that he is American. The corecast of the eightHarry Pottermoviesconsisted of actors almost exclusively from the U.K., including the main trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.An American joining the show means it may not be putting as much of a focus on casting only British actors. Thisopens the door wide when it comes to choosing actors for other characters. Even if some actors end up being American, however, it’s likely they will be adopting British accents.
Where You’ve Seen John Lithgow Before
The Actor’s Past Roles Explained
Lithgow isn’t known for his leading man roles, and has instead beencelebrated for his wide variety of supporting characters over the course of his 50-plus-year career. He appeared in last year’sacclaimedConclave, as well as movies likeCliffhanger(1993),Killers of the Flower Moon(2023),Daddy’s Home 2(2017),Interstellar(2014), andRise of the Planet of the Apes(2011). Though not a live-action role, Lithgow’s voice performance as Lord Farquaad inShrek(2001) is also notable.
Lithgow has been nominated for two Oscars. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for bothThe World According to Garp(1982) andTerms of Endearment(1983)
In the world of TV, he recently played a prominent role opposite Jeff Bridges inThe Old Man(2022 – 2024), but one of his memorable TV performances was asWinston Churchill onThe Crown(2016 – 2019).Lithgow sported a very convincing British accent for his role as Churchill, suggesting audiences won’t have to worry about this when it comes to his Dumbledore performance. Lithgow also served as the Trinity Killer in season 4 ofDexter, and he’s one of the big reasons why that season is widely considered the Showtime series' best.
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Our Take On John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Casting
Lithgow Inherits A Special Harry Potter Character
Both Gambon and Harris have left big shoes for Lithgow to fill. In addition to the main trio,Dumbledore remains one of the most important characters in theHarry Potteruniverse, and he would even go on to become a main character in the latterFantastic Beastsfilms. After his standout performanceConclave, as well as his impressive resume of supporting performances, however, Lithgow certainly seems up to the task of playing the iconicHogwarts Headmaster.
It will be a challenge to reach the high bar set by the eight core films in the saga, and making bold creative choices seems like the best way for the show to chart its own path forward.
Given how much love there is for theworld ofHarry Potter, there are sure to be some strong feelings about Lithgow’s casting, and in fact all castings that are still to come. This is especially true because Lithgow is American. It will be a challenge to reach the high bar set by the eight core films in the saga, and making bold creative choices seems like the best way for the show to chart its own path forward. Many questions still remain about theHarry Pottershow, but this latest casting confirmation certainly makes it feel one big step closer.
