John Lithgow just dropped some exciting news in an interview with ScreenRant—he’s set to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s “Harry Potter” series! So, Variety mentioned earlier this month that Lithgow was looking at the role.
Lithgow is stepping into the shoes of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who both took on the role of the legendary Hogwarts headmaster in the “Harry Potter” movies.
“Honestly, I was completely caught off guard by the role,” Lithgow said. “I just got a call from the Sundance Film Festival, and honestly, it wasn’t an easy choice. It feels like it’s going to shape the last chapter of my life, and that’s a bit scary.” I’m super excited!
Lithgow said, “Some awesome folks are getting back into ‘Harry Potter.’” That’s why it’s been a tough call. <text”I’ll probably be around 87 at the wrap party, but I’m in!”
The idea for the “Harry Potter” HBO series is to turn each of J.K. Rowling’s books into its own season, so it looks like we’re in for seven seasons of magic! That’s gotta be at least seven years of Lithgow’s life, maybe even more, since Dumbledore shows up in every single movie. Lithgow is 79 years young right now.
So, it looks like along with Lithgow, HBO’s “Harry Potter” cast might also feature Paapa Essiedu, who’s said to be a strong candidate for the role of potions professor Severus Snape.
So, it looks like Harry, Hermione, and Ron — the main trio — are probably going to be played by some fresh faces. Warner Bros. kicked off an open casting call for kids aged 9 to 11 in the fall of 2024.
HBO is calling its “Harry Potter” series “a faithful adaptation” that’s set to bring in a fresh cast for a new generation of fans, packed with all the awesome details and beloved characters that “Harry Potter” fans have cherished for more than twenty-five years.
Get set for an awesome adventure! John Lithgow is taking on the role of Dumbledore in HBO’s “Harry Potter” series, offering a new spin on the iconic character. Keep up with all the latest casting news and behind-the-scenes info—check out our website for more cool updates!
