John Lithgow confirms he will be playing Dumbledore in Harry Potter series

[Jill 30,080]

3 hours ago, thisboyisamonster said:

He would make an excellent Dumbledore imo, be much more animated than the movies I reckon. And to think he was just in Conclave with Ralph Fiennes who played Voldemort in the movies!!

The Papal Multiverse keeps expanding

[Jack3257 741]

Honestly would have LOVED if Jude Law were playing the character again.  Regardless I wish they picked someone younger to avoid a Richard Harris situation.  

[bionic 49,784]

1 hour ago, Addison Rae said:

we need rita ora to play the sorting hat 

RIta is playing Hermione  

[RAMROD 109,222]

John Lithgow confirms that he will play Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV show. Following the success of the eight Warner Bros. films, J. K. Rowling's beloved book series is now set to make the jump to the small screen in a new series on HBO. Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner for the Harry Potter TV show, but who will star in the series has remained a mystery. Last week, it was reported that Lithgow could be nearing a deal to star as Dumbledore, a role previously played by the late actors Michael Gambon and Richard Harris.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Liam Crowley today to promote his new project, The Rule of Jenny Penn, Lithgow now officially confirms that he has been cast as the Hogwarts Headmaster in HBO's Harry Potter TV show. Though the actor, who is 79, doesn't spill any details about the series, he does admit that the decision to accept was challenging because of the immense time commitment at this stage of his career. Check out Lithgow's comment below:

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.

Lithgow's comment makes him the first actor to be confirmed for the Harry Potter TV show's cast. It's possible that he wasn't supposed to share this news just yet given how quiet HBO has been on casting reports thus far, but it speaks to how development on the series is going behind the scenes. The show is currently targeting a release in late 2026 or early 2027, and HBO has confirmed that filming on the episodes will begin in summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K.

With Lithgow having now broken the seal, so to speak, it's possible that more casting announcements will follow in the weeks ahead. 

Lithgow isn't known for his leading man roles, and has instead been celebrated for his wide variety of supporting characters over the course of his 50-plus-year career. He appeared in last year's acclaimed Conclave, as well as movies like Cliffhanger (1993), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Daddy's Home 2 (2017), Interstellar (2014), and Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). Though not a live-action role, Lithgow's voice performance as Lord Farquaad in Shrek (2001) is also notable. In the world of TV, he recently played a prominent role opposite Jeff Bridges in The Old Man (2022 – 2024), but one of his memorable TV performances was as Winston Churchill on The Crown (2016 – 2019). Lithgow also served as the Trinity Killer in season 4 of Dexter, and he's one of the big reasons why that season is widely considered the Showtime series' best.

https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-show-john-lithgow-dumbledore-casting-confirmed/

[HotLikeMexico 5,158]

I wonder who else will be casted for the other roles. I think he’ll be good for the part. 

[Nini mini boss 1,444]

Didn't Dumbledor die in HP6? Are they doing multiverse or something? 

[Mr Oak 7,615]

1 minute ago, Patamon said:

Didn't Dumbledor die in HP6? Are they doing multiverse or something? 

He still appears in Deathly Hallows in flashbacks or dreams (e.g. limbo scene in train platform) 

[darkgaga 4,954]

6 minutes ago, Patamon said:

Didn't Dumbledor die in HP6? Are they doing multiverse or something? 

What? The series will be a reboot of the films

[Nini mini boss 1,444]

3 minutes ago, Mr Oak said:

He still appears in Deathly Hallows in flashbacks or dreams (e.g. limbo scene in train platform) 

True. Totally forgot about it. 

 

1 minute ago, darkgaga said:

What? The series will be a reboot of the films

I have no idea.