John Lithgow may be donning long robes onscreen again sometime soon. According to Variety, the Conclave star is in final talks to take on the role of
John Lithgow may be donning long robes onscreen again sometime soon. According to Variety, the Conclave star is in final talks to take on the role of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in HBO’s forthcoming television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.
One of the best-selling book series of all time, Rowling’s Harry Potter has already been adapted into eight mega-successful feature films between 2001 and 2011 for Warner Brothers, as well as a spin-off franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a hit Broadway play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Still, the powers that be at Warner Bros. Discovery believe there’s more to the Potter story, and intend to expand upon territory covered in the original film franchise with the fresh television series. Each season of the series will be based on one of Rowling’s seven original novels, and Rowling herself—who has become a controversial figure over the past several years due to her commitment to making transphobic remarks on social media—is reportedly creatively involved in the series. British television writer Francesca Gardiner has been tapped as the series’ showrunner.
Dumbledore, Harry’s sage and elderly mentor, was played by Irish actor Richard Harris in the first two films in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). The 72-year elderly Harris died on October 25, 2002, after a battle with Hodgkin’s disease. He was replaced by Irish-British actor Michael Gambon for the six remaining Harry Potter films. Gambon died on September 27, 2023 at 82 years elderly after contracting pneumonia.
The 79-year elderly Lithgow would potentially be joined by I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu, who is reportedly the top choice to play potions instructor Severus Snape. Per Deadline, other names reportedly circling major roles in the series are Bad Sister’s Sharon Horgan, Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein, and The Penguin’s Mark Strong. Last year, Warner Bros launched an open casting call for child actors between the ages 9 and 11 in the UK and Ireland to fill the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
A prolific actor, Lithgow has earned numerous accolades across film, television, and theater. He has six Emmy awards, two Tony awards, and has twice been nominated for Oscars. On film, he’s appeared in classics such as Footloose, The World According to Garp, and Terms of Endearment, while on television he’s starred in series including 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Crown, and Dexter. Most recently he starred as Cardinal Tremblay in the 2025 Oscar-best picture nominee Conclave, opposite Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini.
In a statement to Variety, HBO remained tight-lipped on Lithgow’s potential casting. “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” reads the statement. “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
The Harry Potter television series is due to hit HBO in 2026.
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