HBO is moving full steam ahead with its new Harry Potter TV show and finally seems to have at least one casting: John Lithgow will be the new Professor Dumbledore.
It’s been reported that HBO has been on the lookout for a new Dumbledore for some time now, and it appears that search has ended. In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed that he accepted the role which he says will define 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.”
He adds, “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.”
This is the first casting confirmation for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, and it isn’t technically official yet either as HBO and Warner Bros. have not confirmed Lithgow’s casting.
HBO’s plan is to re-adapt all of JK Rowling’s books for TV with an all-new cast playing familiar characters like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and the rest of the Hogwarts school. Rowling will serve as executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Despite Lithgow’s verbal confirmation, the fact the Harry Potter reboot series still doesn’t have a full cast likely means the show is still some ways away from production.
Lithgow is a veteran actor for film and television, perhaps best known for his role as Dick Solomon on the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. However, he achieved critical acclaim and won an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of The Crown on Netflix.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.
Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.
