HBO is accelerating its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and fans have a casting update to buzz about: John Lithgow has been tapped to portray the iconic Professor Dumbledore. Although HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm this casting, Lithgow himself shared the news in an interview with ScreenRant, hinting at a monumental role that he believes will mark the "last chapter" of his career.
In his own words, Lithgow said, "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." He expressed excitement about joining the project, stating, "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."
How to Watch Harry Potter in Chronological Order
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HBO's ambitious project aims to bring J.K. Rowling's entire Harry Potter series to the small screen, featuring a fresh cast to revisit beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, among others from the Hogwarts universe. Rowling will take on the role of executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Despite Lithgow's announcement, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the Harry Potter reboot series is still in the early stages of production. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his Emmy-winning performance as Winston Churchill in Netflix's The Crown and his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, is set to bring his vast experience to the magical world of Harry Potter.
