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

HBO is accelerating the development of its new Harry Potter TV series and has reportedly secured its first major casting: John Lithgow will take on the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore.

According to reports, HBO has been searching for the right actor to portray Dumbledore for quite some time, and it seems their search has concluded successfully. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed his acceptance of the role, describing it as a defining moment in 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," Lithgow shared.

He continued, expressing his excitement about the project, "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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This casting news marks the first confirmation for the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, although it remains unofficial as HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to confirm Lithgow's involvement.

HBO's ambitious project aims to bring all of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books to television, featuring a completely new cast to portray beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. J.K. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the series still lacks a full cast, suggesting that production might still be some time away.

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 critical acclaim and an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's "The Crown."