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

HBO is pushing forward with its new Harry Potter TV series and has reportedly cast John Lithgow as the iconic Professor Dumbledore. The search for a new Dumbledore has been ongoing, and it seems that HBO has found its man. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed his acceptance of the role, describing it as the defining moment for 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," Lithgow shared. He continued, "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 marks the first casting announcement for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, it is important to note that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's involvement. HBO's ambitious project aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books for television, featuring an entirely new cast to portray characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. J.K. Rowling 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 series is still in the early stages of production. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in film and television, gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also earned critical acclaim and an Emmy for his performance as Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's The Crown.