John Lithgow, a six-time Emmy winner, is in final negotiations to play the iconic character of Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s high-profile series adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. The show, created by writer/showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod, aims to run over a decade.
Lithgow will be joined by a talented ensemble cast, including Casey Bloys as Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content. The series will be filmed at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, where the movies were shot, and is slated for a late 2026 or early 2027 release.
The casting decision has generated significant interest, with speculation ranging from Paapa Essiedu for Potions Master Snape to Brett Goldstein for Hogwarts’ gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid. The role of Lord Voldemort was also rumored to be offered to Cillian Murphy, although Ralph Fiennes, who played the role in the films, reportedly supports the casting.
Lithgow’s casting comes after an extensive audition process, which saw 32,000 kids submit for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The actor is known for his versatility, having previously portrayed Winston Churchill on The Crown and Roald Dahl on stage in London.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/harry-potter-tv-series-casting-john-lithgow-dumbledore-1236285903