HBO is forging ahead with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and the first casting news has surfaced: John Lithgow is set to portray Professor Dumbledore. HBO has been on a quest for the perfect Dumbledore, and it seems they've found their man. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed his acceptance of the role, which he anticipates will mark the "last chapter" of his career.
"It came as a total surprise to me," Lithgow shared. "I received the call while at the Sundance Film Festival for another project. It wasn't an easy decision, knowing it will define me in the final phase of my life."
He further expressed his excitement, noting, "Some wonderful people are bringing their attention back to Harry Potter. That's what made the decision so challenging. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've agreed to do it."
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This casting news marks the first official announcement for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, though HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to formally confirm Lithgow's role.
HBO's ambitious plan involves re-adapting all of J.K. Rowling's books into a television format, featuring an entirely new cast to bring back beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the show is still some time away from beginning production.
Lithgow, a seasoned actor with an impressive resume in both film and television, is perhaps best recognized for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.
