John Lithgow Nears Deal to Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter Series

HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with John Lithgow, known for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray the iconic Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, in the highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot series. According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing the role, although HBO has yet to confirm this casting news. This development comes as a surprise, especially after Variety previously mentioned Mark Rylance as the top choice for Dumbledore back in November.

A spokesperson from HBO commented on the swirling rumors, 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." This cautious approach keeps fans eagerly awaiting official announcements.

John Lithgow's extensive career includes notable performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as television roles in Dexter and The Crown, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor.

Despite various reports suggesting progress, the casting details for the Harry Potter series remain largely under wraps. HBO is also on the hunt for actors to play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and it appears they have already found their Severus Snape in Paapa Essiedu. The series aims to maintain a focus on British talent, a decision influenced by the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter show promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour film format. The series will be helmed by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, with the latter also having worked on Game of Thrones, ensuring a high-quality production that fans can look forward to.