John Lithgow Reveals He'll Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV Series

HBO is accelerating its ambitious new Harry Potter TV series, and it appears that the casting process is now underway, with John Lithgow reportedly set to take on the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore.

According to a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow expressed his surprise and excitement about being chosen for the part. He received the offer during the Sundance Film Festival and admitted that accepting the role was not an easy decision. "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," he stated. Lithgow also mentioned his enthusiasm for the project, citing the involvement of "wonderful people" in bringing Harry Potter back to the screen. "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."

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12 ImagesAlthough John Lithgow's casting as Dumbledore has not been officially confirmed by HBO or Warner Bros., this marks the first reported casting announcement for the eagerly anticipated series. HBO's vision is to adapt all of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books into a television format, featuring a completely new cast to portray beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and others from the Hogwarts universe. J.K. Rowling herself will take on the role of executive producer, joined by Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's confirmation, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the series is still in the early stages of development and some time away from production.

John Lithgow is a seasoned actor with extensive experience in both film and television. He is widely recognized for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. Additionally, he garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.