HBO is accelerating its ambitious project to bring the magical world of Harry Potter to television, and it appears they have secured a key casting: John Lithgow is set to take on the role of Professor Dumbledore. This marks the first casting announcement for the highly anticipated series.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow expressed his surprise and excitement about joining the Harry Potter universe. "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 shared. Despite the weight of the decision, Lithgow is thrilled to be part of this iconic series, noting, "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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While Lithgow's casting has been verbally confirmed, it is important to note that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially announce his involvement. The series aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books for television, featuring an entirely new cast to portray iconic characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. J.K. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Given that the full cast has not yet been assembled, it seems the production of the Harry Potter TV series is still in its early stages. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in both film and television, brings a wealth of experience to the project. He is perhaps best recognized for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun," and he earned critical acclaim and an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's "The Crown."
