John Lithgow is said to be in ‘final negotiations’ to be cast as the next Albus Dumbledore in the HBO Harry Potter series.
If reports come to fruition, the six time Emmy-winner, 79, will be the fourth actor to play the old wise wizard after Michael Gambon, who put on the half-moon spectacles after original actor Richard Harris died following Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Jude Law played a young Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts spin off films.
While US native Lithgow would be the first non Irish or British actor to take up the role, he’s well versed in playing such characters. Lithgow won his most recent Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown.
While sources told Deadline of this exciting development, HBO declined to comment.
‘We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,’ the network said in a statement to the US outlet.
‘As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals.’
The HBO production – which will be filmed in the same Warner Bros. Studios in the UK where the films were also shot – is due for release in late 2026 or 2027.
While the films whizzed past some details of JK Rowling’s books, this series is marketed as a ‘faithful adaptation’ of the original works, released from 1997 to 2007 over six books.
So there might be a whole lot more Dursley storylines developed, and Ginny Weasley’s vibrant personality might finally translate to the screen.
Dumbledore is a major character in the story of Harry Potter – an orphaned boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs and discovers he’s a famous wizard with a big old target on his back.
Headmaster Dumbledore is the main guardian of young Harry, but famously – spoiler alert – dies in the sixth book Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at the hands of double spy Professor Severus Snape.
Lithgow is currently in the news for his Oscar contender film Conclave, but is known for previous roles in The Crown, The Old Man, Killers of the Flower Moon, Interstellar, Dexter, Shrek, Footloose, The World According to Garp, Cliffhanger and Love is Strange.
The casting call for the new series launched in September, focusing on children from the UK and Ireland for the roles of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and their peers. Around 32,000 children were said to have sent in audition tapes.
Ever since the announcement, speculation has been rife on who will take up the most beloved roles. Rumours have so far swirled that Paapa Essiedu would make a fabulous Snape, Sharon Horgan as Professor Minerva McGonnagall and Brett Goldstein for Rubeus Hagrid.
Others have thought Cillian Murphy would make a convincing Voldemort, including Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed the evil wizard in all seven films.
The news of the series comes as controversy mounts surrounding the world’s creator, JK Rowling – who has been accused of trans-exclusionary remarks. The author strongly denies being transphobic.
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