Potterheads listen up! We have some major casting news for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series on HBO Max and it is a big one. The iconic role of Albus Dumbledore has been filled and get ready for this... it's the one and only John Lithgow !
John Lithgow Confirms He's Stepping into Dumbledore's Shoes (or Robes?) for HBO's Harry Potter Reboot
Yes you heard that right. John Lithgow himself spilled the beans in a recent interview . He said he was totally surprised to get the call but he has officially said yes to playing the Hogwarts Headmaster. Lithgow joked that it was "not an easy decision" because this role is "going to define" the last part of his career and he'll be "about 87 years old at the wrap party!". Talk about commitment!
Now HBO is playing it a little coy. They put out a statement saying they appreciate all the buzz but will only confirm details when deals are finalized. So while Lithgow says it's happening HBO is being a bit more official about it. But come on it sounds pretty much confirmed right?
Mixed Reactions and Fan Buzz: Is John Lithgow the Right Dumbledore for a New Generation?
Of course with any big Harry Potter casting news fans are having all sorts of reactions and the internet is buzzing. Some folks are a little surprised maybe even skeptical. Lithgow is American for one thing and Dumbledore is traditionally portrayed as very British. The original movies famously cast mostly British actors.
Some fans online have expressed a bit of shock at the choice. However many are also keeping an open mind. Plenty of people are pointing out that Lithgow is a fantastic actor with a huge range. Remember Lord Farquaad in Shrek or his Winston Churchill in The Crown? The guy can act and he can definitely do a British accent. Many fans are excited to see what he brings to the role and think he could do Dumbledore justice in a fresh way.
What Does Lithgow's Casting Mean for the HBO Harry Potter Series? Filming Timeline and More Details
Lithgow being cast as Dumbledore gives us some clues about the direction of the HBO series. First it might mean they are not sticking strictly to only casting British actors this time around. Could we see some other American actors in key roles? It is possible. Even if some actors are American it is likely they will still be using British accents to stay true to the source material.
Lithgow also mentioned he expects Filming to wrap in about eight years. If that is accurate and with one book per season we could be looking at a new season of Harry Potter coming out every year until 2033. That's a lot of Potter content! HBO has confirmed filming is set to start in summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK. The target release is late 2026 or early 2027 so we still have a bit of a wait but things are moving forward.
Who Else Might Join the Harry Potter HBO Cast? Rumors and Open Casting Calls
With Lithgow seemingly confirmed as Dumbledore who else might be joining the cast? There have been rumors about Paapa Essiedu being considered for Severus Snape but nothing official yet. For the main trio Harry Ron and Hermione it sounds like they are going with fresh faces. There was reportedly a wide open casting call for young actors aged 9 to 11 in the UK and Ireland. So expect to see some brand new young talent taking on those iconic roles.
John Lithgow: A Veteran Actor Ready to Take on the Iconic Role
For those who might not be super familiar with John Lithgow's work he is a seriously accomplished actor. He is not really known for being a leading man but he is celebrated for playing all kinds of amazing supporting characters over his long career. Think about roles in movies like Cliffhanger Killers of the Flower Moon Interstellar and even voicing Lord Farquaad in Shrek. He is also won awards for his TV work including playing Winston Churchill in The Crown and the Trinity Killer in Dexter.
He has got British accent skills down pat from The Crown and he has a ton of acting experience. Filling the shoes of Michael Gambon and Richard Harris who both played Dumbledore in the movies is no easy task. But Lithgow seems like he is up for the challenge. It's a bold and interesting choice and it will be fascinating to see his take on the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster.
Key Facts About the Harry Potter HBO Series Casting and Production:
- Albus Dumbledore: Likely to be played by John Lithgow (deal pending official confirmation from HBO).
- Filming Start: Summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK.
- Target Release: Late 2026 or early 2027.
- Main Trio Casting: Open casting call for young actors in the UK and Ireland. Expecting new faces for Harry Ron and Hermione.
- J.K. Rowling's Involvement: Executive Producer ensuring faithfulness to the books.
- Format: Faithful adaptation of the books one book per season. Approx. 10-year series run.
- Platform: Airing on HBO and likely streaming on Max.
Excited or Skeptical? Let the Harry Potter TV Series Casting Discussions Begin!
So what do you think Potter fans? Are you excited about John Lithgow as Dumbledore? What do you think of HBO potentially casting an American actor in this iconic role? Let the casting debates begin! One thing is for sure this Harry Potter TV series is really happening and the casting choices are already generating a lot of buzz. Get ready for a whole new chapter in the Wizarding World!