John Lithgow Reveals He'll Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV Series

HBO is pushing forward with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it appears that John Lithgow has been cast as the iconic Professor Dumbledore. According to reports, HBO has been searching for the right actor to fill this pivotal role, and it seems they have found their Dumbledore in Lithgow.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow shared that he was approached for the role during the Sundance Film Festival. He expressed that accepting the part was not an easy decision, as it will define the "last chapter" of his life. "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 said. Despite the weight of the decision, Lithgow is excited about the project, noting that "some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter."

He added, "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 this is the first casting announcement for the new Harry Potter TV show, it's important to note that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's casting. The series aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's books for television, featuring an entirely new cast to bring to life beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the production of the series may still be some time away. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in both film and television, gained widespread recognition for playing Dick Solomon on the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also received critical acclaim and an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.