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

HBO is pushing forward with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it appears they have secured their first major casting: John Lithgow as the iconic Professor Dumbledore. According to reports, HBO has been searching for the perfect Dumbledore for quite some time, and it seems their quest has come to an end. 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 career.

"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," Lithgow shared. He expressed his excitement about working with the talented team bringing Harry Potter back to life, despite the challenging decision. "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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12 ImagesWhile Lithgow's casting as Dumbledore is the first confirmation for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, it has not yet been officially verified by HBO or Warner Bros. The show aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's books for television, featuring a fresh cast to bring beloved characters like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts students to life. Rowling will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Although Lithgow has verbally confirmed his role, the lack of a complete cast suggests that the series is still some time away from entering full production.

John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in both film and television, gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also received critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for his performance as Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.