Hollywood star John Lithgow has confirmed reports that he scored the coveted role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO “Harry Potter” TV series.
Speaking to ScreenRant, the 79-year-old actor said he’d accepted the leading role, previously held by the late actors Michael Gambon and Richard Harris in the hugely successful “Harry Potter” movie franchise based on the books by J.K. Rowling. It comes after reports surfaced last week that the actor was nearing a deal for the role.
“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 said, noting the lengthy time commitment for the part.
“But I’m very excited,” he added. “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.”
John Lithgow confirms he will play Dumbledore in the ‘HARRY POTTER’ series.
“It’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life… I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes”
(Source: https://t.co/xXLExs4niV) pic.twitter.com/AQWc0kiryp
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 25, 2025
Few details have been released about the rest of the cast of the highly-anticipated series, which follows the success of the films and books.
HBO previously confirmed that filming for the series would start in the U.K. in summer of 2025, with a possible release in 2026, the outlet noted.
In December, reports surfaced that British star Paapa Essiedu was reportedly being looked at to play the role of Professor Severus Snape in the HBO adaptation.
At the time, several sources confirmed to Variety that the 34-year-old actor could land the role of Snape in the upcoming series, a role previously held by the late Alan Rickman in the “Harry Potter” movie franchise.
There’s still no word if Essiedu has accepted the part, and HBO has only issued a statement to the outlet that read, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
According to the logline, the series will be “a faithful adaptation of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling.”
“The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years,” it added. “Each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
Related: British Actor Being Looked At For Major Role In New ‘Harry Potter,’ And Fans Aren’t Happy
