John Lithgow is the new Dumbledore: surprise casting!

John Lithgow is the new Dumbledore: surprise casting!

In an exciting update to the upcoming Harry Potter series, John Lithgow has taken on the role of legendary Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. The 79-year-old actor, known for his impressive performances in films and series such as “The Crown” and “Dexter”, is overwhelmed by the decision. “I never expected this,” Lithgow told Screen Rant when confirming the casting. According to the experienced actor, this role will stay with him until the end of his days. What's even more astonishing is that he will be 87 years old when filming ends, which played a big role in the decision-making process.

The series implementation in detail

The new series will feature the seven books by J.K. Rowling in a much more detailed way than previous films, in the form of a total of ten seasons. Casting is underway for other key roles such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, with children aged 9 to 11 invited to apply. It remains to be seen whether there will be guest appearances from the former actors from the films, as tensions exist between the original cast and author Rowling, sparked by her controversial statements on gender issues.

On February 26, Krone reported on Lithgow's confirmation, while MoviePilot also picked up on the news and explained how surprising and exciting the role is for the veteran actor. Lithgow's selection as Dumbledore could be an unexpected twist for many, especially since previous casting rumors named Mark Rylance as the first favorite. However, Rylance dropped out due to personal circumstances, after which other names, such as Mark Strong, were discussed. Now it's clear: John Lithgow will take fans into the magical world of Hogwarts.

A large audience hopes to watch the first season of the series on HBO no later than late 2026 or early 2027, while preparations and casting procedures are already in full swing. Anticipation is building and, as Lithgow himself emphasizes, he is thrilled to be working with the talented team behind this impressive project.