John Lithgow to Play Albus Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter Series
John Lithgow, the acclaimed actor known for his Emmy-winning performances and roles in films like Conclave, has confirmed he will portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series. The 79-year-old actor revealed the news during an interview, describing the opportunity as a “total surprise” that came while he was attending the Sundance Film Festival. Lithgow acknowledged the weight of the decision, stating, “It’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited.” He added that he will be around 87 years old by the time the series wraps production.
The HBO series, described as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series, aims to provide a more in-depth exploration of the beloved story compared to the original film franchise. The show is set to begin filming this summer and is expected to span a decade, with Francesca Gardiner serving as showrunner and Mark Mylod directing multiple episodes. Lithgow follows in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who previously portrayed Dumbledore in the films.
While Lithgow has confirmed his involvement, HBO has yet to finalize the casting deal. The network stated, “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.” The series is anticipated to introduce a new cast and reignite the Harry Potter fandom for a new generation.
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