John Lithgow to Portray Dumbledore in New Harry Potter Series
John Lithgow is officially taking on the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the HBO adaptation of Harry Potter, but the network has yet to make an official confirmation.
HBO may have just found their Dumbledore for their upcoming adaptation of Harry Potter, and it is John Lithgow.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow explained that he agreed to the role, but it wasn’t an easy decision.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me,” Lithgow stated. “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.”
John Lithgow confirming to @screenrant he has been cast as Dumbledore in the HARRY POTTER series
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) February 25, 2025
He is our first actor confirmed for the series! pic.twitter.com/amon8BMPPE
He further described how a lot of awareness is coming back to the series, adding more pressure to his decision.
“Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter,” he stated. “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.”
It is currently unclear how accurate Lithgow’s estimated timeline really is. HBO hasn’t given any confirmation on how long the series is or how long it will take to film.
The Harry Potter franchise began as a book series written by J.K. Rowling and adapted into movies by Warner Bros. Pictures, with the films directed by Alfonso Cuarón, David Yates, Mike Newell, and Chris Columbus.
All aboard the Hogwarts Express!
— Max (@StreamOnMax) June 26, 2024
Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod will executive produce the new HBO Original Series, Harry Potter, with Gardiner serving as showrunner and Mylod directing multiple episodes. Coming soon to Max. pic.twitter.com/h3kpoMcETc
The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released in 2001. In the first two films, actor Richard Harris portrayed Dumbledore. After his passing in 2002, Michael Gambon filled the role until the end of the film series.
Lithgow is an American actor, which is a significant departure from the mainly U.K.-based cast of the films. This has earned him mixed reviews on the idea of his casting.
He addressed fan concerns about his casting in a recent interview with Collider, describing how he will give the role everything he has.
“I know that I’ll be working with, at the very top of the food chain, these are superb people,” he stated. “And I will be working with among the best English-speaking actors in the world. I mean, the talent pool right there in London is at their disposal. I’m really excited about it and just revisiting Harry Potter in depth these days. I want to do it justice.”
John Lithgow will play Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter series.
— Yoni Wagner (@ReelAesthetica) February 26, 2025
Who’s pumped? pic.twitter.com/wT2UGyj7E7
He told fans not to worry, and that he is committed to making Dumbledore remain an English character. He drew on his experience playing other British characters to reassure the public.
“In fact, there’s a good deal of controversy that an American has been hired to play him,” he stated. “I’ve just played Roald Dahl. I’ve played Winston Churchill. I’ll spend some time with a dialect coach. Don’t worry about that. But no, I mean Dumbledore couldn’t possibly be anything other than English. I just have to do my best.”
While HBO hasn’t made this official, they have yet to confirm any cast member for the series. The adaptation was announced in 2023, and it seems that fans will have to wait a while for the release.
