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

HBO is moving forward with its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and the first casting news is in: John Lithgow will reportedly take on the role of Professor Dumbledore. HBO has been on a quest to find the perfect Dumbledore, and it seems they have found their man in Lithgow.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow shared his surprise and excitement about the role, which he described as defining the "last chapter" of his career. "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 said. He added, "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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While this is the first casting announcement for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, it's worth noting that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's casting. HBO's ambitious plan is to adapt all of J.K. Rowling's books into a television series, featuring an entirely new cast to bring beloved characters like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of the Hogwarts community to life. J.K. Rowling will serve as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the absence of a full cast suggests that the series is still some time away from entering production. Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his roles in both film and television, is perhaps best recognized for his portrayal of Dick Solomon in the sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun." He also received critical acclaim and an Emmy for his role as Winston Churchill in the first season of Netflix's "The Crown."