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

HBO is forging ahead with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it appears that the casting process is beginning to take shape. Reports suggest that John Lithgow has been tapped to take on the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore, marking the first casting announcement for the show.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow shared his surprise and excitement about joining the Harry Potter universe. "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," he remarked. Despite the significant commitment, Lithgow expressed enthusiasm about working with the talented team behind 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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12 ImagesWhile Lithgow's casting has not been officially confirmed by HBO or Warner Bros., it represents a significant step forward for the series. HBO plans to bring all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books to the small screen, featuring an entirely new cast to portray cherished characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the series is still in the early stages of production.

John Lithgow, a seasoned actor with an impressive resume, is perhaps best known for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun." He also garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's "The Crown."