John Lithgow and Michael Gambon as DumbledoreJessica Howes / Murray Close/ Warner Bros./ Courtesy Everett Collection
John Lithgow is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter television adaptation.
Although sources have hinted at Lithgow’s involvement, HBO remains tight-lipped. In a statement, the network acknowledged the excitement surrounding the project but emphasized that official casting details would be shared only once agreements are finalized.
The upcoming Harry Potter series is expected to span a decade, with Francesca Gardiner serving as the showrunner and Mark Mylod as the director and executive producer. Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO and Max Content, previously described the project as a “faithful adaptation” that will explore each book in greater depth.
Dumbledore, the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts, plays a crucial role in the story. As the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, he stands against the Dark Lord Voldemort. The character was first played by Richard Harris in the original film series, followed by Michael Gambon after Harris’ passing. Jude Law later portrayed a younger Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts movies.
Lithgow’s potential casting is notable, as he would be the first American actor to take on the role. However, he has experience playing British figures, winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown. He also recently performed as Roald Dahl on stage in London.
Filming for the series will take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the same location used for the original movies. The show is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027 on HBO.
Casting rumors for other major characters have been circulating for months. Speculation has linked Paapa Essiedu to Severus Snape, Sharon Horgan and Lesley Manville to Professor McGonagall, Brett Goldstein to Hagrid, and even Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy to Voldemort. Ralph Fiennes, who originally played Voldemort in the films, has expressed his support for Murphy taking over the role.
Meanwhile, the search for the new trio—Harry, Hermione, and Ron—is progressing. Over 32,000 children have submitted audition tapes in hopes of landing the iconic roles.
Lithgow, a two-time Oscar nominee, is no stranger to major projects. He recently starred in Conclave, a current Oscar contender, and Jimpa, which premiered at Sundance. He will also appear alongside Geoffrey Rush in The Rule of Jenny Pen. On television, he was a series regular in FX’s The Old Man and reprised his award-winning role in Showtime’s Dexter: New Blood.
A celebrated stage actor, Lithgow recently completed a sold-out run of Giant at London’s Royal Court Theatre, which is set to transfer to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre. He is also narrating Carnival of the Animals for the New York City Ballet, based on his own illustrated children’s book.
With Lithgow’s potential involvement, excitement for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot continues to build. As the casting process unfolds, fans eagerly await further announcements about who will bring the beloved characters to life.
The story was first reported by Deadline.
