Lithgow in Final Talks for Dumbledore Role in HBO’s Harry Potter Series

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor John Lithgow is reportedly in final negotiations to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO‘s highly anticipated adaptation of the Harry Potter series, sources tell Deadline. The network has remained tight-lipped about casting details, only stating, “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.”

Executive produced by Francesca Gardiner and directed by Mark Mylod, the new Harry Potter series is designed to run for more than a decade and will serve as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s iconic novels. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, emphasized the show’s intent to delve deeply into each book.

Dumbledore, a pivotal character in the Harry Potter universe, serves as the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and leads the Order of the Phoenix in their fight against the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. The character has previously been portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the film adaptations, while Jude Law portrayed a younger Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

Though Lithgow is American, he has successfully played British characters, winning his latest Emmy Award for his role as Winston Churchill in the Netflix series The Crown. He is currently recognized for his role as Roald Dahl on stage in London, following a sold-out run of the show Giant at the Royal Court Theatre.

Production for the Harry Potter series is slated to commence at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Summer 2025, with a premiere targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. As casting rumors swirl around other significant roles, including Snape and McGonagall, approximately 32,000 children have submitted audition tapes for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. HBO has emphasized its commitment to inclusive, diverse casting.

As Lithgow steps into this iconic role, the anticipation surrounding the series continues to mount. He is also involved in several upcoming projects, including the independent film Jimpa, which recently premiered at Sundance, and is headlining The Rule of Jenny Pen alongside Geoffrey Rush.

Lithgow has an impressive career across both film and television, having recently returned to Showtime’s Dexter: New Blood to reprise his Emmy-winning role as the Trinity Killer. He is also attached to narrate a potential prequel series centered around this character.

The response to Lithgow’s casting has been overwhelmingly positive, as fans eagerly await further announcements regarding the full cast and production timeline. This series promises to revisit the world of Harry Potter through a new lens, potentially captivating both longtime fans and newcomers alike.