John Lithgow Reveals He'll Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV Series

HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series has reportedly secured its first major casting: John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore. While HBO and Warner Bros. haven't officially confirmed the news, Lithgow himself revealed his acceptance of the role in an interview with ScreenRant.

Lithgow described the decision as challenging, stating it would define "the last chapter" of his career. He expressed excitement about joining the project but acknowledged the significant commitment, noting he'll be approximately 87 years old by the time filming wraps.

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This casting marks the first official confirmation for the series, which aims to re-adapt J.K. Rowling's books with an entirely new cast. Rowling will serve as executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

The lack of a complete cast suggests the show is still in the early stages of development, with production likely some time off.

Lithgow, a veteran actor celebrated for roles such as Dick Solomon in "3rd Rock from the Sun" and Winston Churchill in "The Crown" (earning him an Emmy), brings considerable experience and prestige to the role.