Home > News > Lithgow in Talks for HBO's Harry Potter Dumbledore Role

Lithgow in Talks for HBO's Harry Potter Dumbledore Role

by Henry Mar 14,2025

HBO is reportedly in final negotiations with John Lithgow, renowned for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray the iconic Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Variety reports that a deal is imminent, although HBO has declined to officially confirm the casting. This news follows November reports naming Mark Rylance as the frontrunner for the Dumbledore role.

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

Lithgow’s extensive acting credits include not only Shrek, but also acclaimed performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, and television series such as Dexter and The Crown.

John Lithgow. Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.

While casting details remain largely confidential, reports suggest HBO is making significant progress. The search continues for actors to portray Harry, Hermione, and Ron, while Paapa Essiedu has reportedly been cast as Severus Snape.

The series will prioritize British talent, mirroring the films. This approach is perhaps unsurprising given J.K. Rowling's reported involvement in the casting process.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series aims to be a faithful adaptation of the novels, promising a more in-depth exploration of the story than was possible in the film adaptations. Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod (who also worked on Game of Thrones) are attached to direct and write.

Trending Games More >