John Lithgow In Talks to play Dumbledore in the ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series

The two-time Oscar nominee, who has played the likes of Winston Churchill and Roald Dahl before, could become the first confirmed named for the new show.

(Left) John Lithgow stars as Cardinal Tremblay in director Edward Berger's 'Conclave', a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved. (Right) Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.' Photo: Warner Bros.

Preview:

John Lithgow’s near a deal to play Albus Dumbledore in the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series.
He’s the first actor anywhere near confirmed.
The show aims to adapt the books across the next several years.

With development and even pre-production already in full swing for Warner Bros. Discovery’s plan to mine the ‘Harry Potter’ novels for an ambitious new, HBO-based small screen adaptation, the news is beginning to heat up on the casting front.

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There have been rumors aplenty (learn more below) with ‘I May Destroy You’ and ‘The Lazarus Project’s Paapa Essiedu reportedly in the running to play Professor Snape, as famously brought to movie screens by Alan Rickman.

And Warner Bros. has had an open casting call to find the key roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione running for a while now.

But according to Deadline, the series might have zeroed in on its first near-confirmed hire as John Lithgow, most recently seen in ‘Conclave,’ is apparently close to a deal to play Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the series.

To give him his full name, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is also the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, an organization dedicated to fighting the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort.

And while he’s a powerful wizard, he’s also a complicated one –– having had both a relationship and an antagonistic dynamic with previous dark magic troublemaker Gellert Grindelwald.

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.' Photo: Warner Bros.

In the movies, the character was first played by Richard Harris, with Michael Gambon stepping him after Harris’ death for the third film onwards. In the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films, a younger Dumbledore is played by Jude Law.

Lithgow would be the first American to portray Dumbledore on screen, but it’s not like he doesn’t have history with British characters –– he played Winston Churchill to Emmy-winning effect in Netflix’s ‘The Crown.’

HBO, somewhat naturally, is sticking to its blanket refusal to confirm anything:

“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

What’s the story of the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series?

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger,Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' (2011). Photo: Warner Bros.

Here’s the official HBO statement on the show:

“The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. It will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years. Each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”

The series will be written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, who scored the job after HBO conducted an extensive search for the right showrunner. Mark Mylod is executive producing and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The show will be shot at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios facility outside London in the UK, where the movies were made.

Who else has been rumored for the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series?

Cillian Murphy in 'Peaky Blinders'. Photo: Netflix.

Alongside Essiedu, there has been plenty of talk via Variety of Mark Rylance, an actor who has deep roots in British theatre and who has been seen in movies including ‘The BFG,’ ‘Ready Player One,’ ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘Bridge of Spies’ (for which he won an Oscar), potentially playing Dumbledore. It would seem that those discussions didn’t work out.

On the less solid side, we have Lithgow’s ‘Conclave’ co-star Ralph Fiennes –– who was the villainous Voldemort in four of the seven ‘Potter’ movies –– suggesting someone who could take over that character (even though he’s said he’d be willing to return if asked).

Following speculation of ‘Oppenheimer’ Oscar winner Cillian Murphy taking it on, Fiennes was asked on TV show ‘Watch What Happens Live’ about the possibility. This is what he said:

“Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah.”

We’d add at this point that The Hollywood Reporter’s sources have poured cold water on the idea of Murphy even being considered right now. Which is not to say he isn’t, but that no one wants to talk yet.

The biggest issue for getting more famous –– and therefore busier –– actors involved is the commitment issue; those taking part would likely be contracted for a good 10 years or so. But we can imagine HBO conjuring hefty cash offers to name stars to entice them.

What about the J.K. Rowling issue?

(L to R) Emma Watson and J. K. Rowling at the premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.' Photo: Warner Bros.

‘Potter’ creator and original novelist J.K. Rowling is a big consideration here, since A) she has final say on anything adapted from the books and B) is a problematic figure given her negative views on trans people.

This was HBO’s recent statement on the issue:

“Warner Bros. has been working with J.K. Rowling and in the ‘Harry Potter’ business for over 20 years. Her contribution has been invaluable. We are proud to once again tell the story of ‘Harry Potter’ — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”

Fiennes (yes, him again) weighed in on the issue when talking to The New York Times in 2022:

“J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings. It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being. The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling. I mean, I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene, über-right-wing fascist. It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.”

When will the ‘Harry Potter’ series be on screens?

HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently said that he expects the show to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, which makes sense given that production isn’t likely to start until some point in 2025.

Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures' fantasy adventure 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.