John Lithgow to Portray Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter Series

HBO is forging ahead with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it appears they've secured their first casting choice: John Lithgow as the iconic Professor Dumbledore. According to reports, HBO has been searching for the right actor to fill Dumbledore's shoes, and it seems their quest has concluded successfully. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed his acceptance of the role, describing it as a defining moment in the "last chapter" of his life.

"Well, it came as a total surprise to me," Lithgow shared. "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." Despite the weight of the decision, Lithgow expressed excitement about joining the project, noting that "some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter." He humorously added, "I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes."

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12 ImagesWhile this marks the first casting announcement for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, it's worth noting that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's involvement. The series aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books for television, featuring an entirely new cast to portray 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.

Although Lithgow has verbally confirmed his role, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the series is still in the early stages of production. Known for his versatile performances, Lithgow gained widespread recognition for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also earned critical acclaim and an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.