John Lithgow Officially Cast as Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter Series

John Lithgo (Doc. Ist)

Secondupdate.com – Veteran actor John Lithgow has been officially announced as the new Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter television series produced by HBO.

Quoting a report from Variety on Tuesday (Feb 26), Lithgow was previously one of the top candidates for the role. Now, he follows in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, two actors who previously portrayed the iconic Hogwarts headmaster in the Harry Potter film franchise.

Lithgow admitted he was surprised by the offer but is ready to take on the challenge.

"I just got a phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for another film, and it wasn't an easy decision because this will define the final chapter of my life, I fear. However, I am very excited," Lithgow said in his latest interview with ScreenRant.

Harry Potter Series Will Be a Long-Term Commitment

Playing Dumbledore requires a significant time commitment. The Harry Potter series on HBO is planned to run for seven seasons, with each season adapting one book from J.K. Rowling's series.

Lithgow, who is currently 79 years old, understands that this will be a long-term project.

"Some great people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why this was such a tough decision. I will be around 87 years old by the time the wrap party happens, but I've said yes," he said.

In addition to Lithgow, actor Paapa Essiedu is reportedly a top candidate to portray Severus Snape, the Potions Master at Hogwarts.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has opened auditions to cast the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The casting call is aimed at children aged 9–11 and began in the fall of 2024.

HBO describes the series as a faithful adaptation of the original novels that will introduce a new cast. The project aims to bring the Harry Potter story to a new generation while maintaining the beloved elements that fans have cherished for over 25 years.