HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series is making headway, with the first major casting announcement: the legendary John Lithgow will portray Professor Dumbledore. While not yet officially confirmed by HBO or Warner Bros., Lithgow himself confirmed his involvement in an interview with ScreenRant.
Lithgow described the role as a significant undertaking, stating, “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.”
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This marks the first casting confirmation for the upcoming series, although a full cast remains unannounced. HBO plans a complete re-adaptation of J.K. Rowling's books, featuring an entirely new ensemble to portray beloved characters like Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the Hogwarts faculty. Rowling will serve as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Given the lack of a complete cast, the series is likely still some time away from production. Lithgow, a highly acclaimed actor known for roles such as Dick Solomon in *3rd Rock from the Sun* and Winston Churchill in *The Crown* (for which he won an Emmy), brings a wealth of experience to the role.
