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

HBO is pushing forward with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it seems they've landed a significant casting: John Lithgow is set to take on the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore. HBO has been on the hunt for the perfect Dumbledore, and according to reports, their search has come to an end with Lithgow's acceptance of the role. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, the acclaimed actor confirmed that he will portray Dumbledore, a role he describes as defining the "last chapter" of his career.

"Well, it came as a total surprise to me," Lithgow shared during the Sundance Film Festival. "I just got the phone call 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." Despite the weight of the decision, Lithgow expressed his excitement, saying, "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's important to note that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's involvement. HBO aims to re-adapt all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books into a television format, introducing an entirely new cast to bring back characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. J.K. Rowling herself will be an executive producer, joined by Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Even with Lithgow's verbal commitment, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the series is still some time away from entering full production. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in both film and television, gained widespread recognition for playing Dick Solomon in the sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun." He also received an Emmy for his compelling performance as Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's "The Crown."