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

HBO is making significant strides with its much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series, and it appears they've made a pivotal casting decision: John Lithgow will take on the iconic role of Professor Dumbledore. This news comes as a delight to fans who have been eagerly awaiting updates on the project.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow shared his surprise and excitement about being offered the role. "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. Despite the weight of the decision, Lithgow expressed his enthusiasm, noting, "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."

While Lithgow's casting has not been officially confirmed by HBO or Warner Bros., his verbal confirmation marks the first reported casting for the series. HBO plans to adapt all of J.K. Rowling's books into a comprehensive TV series, featuring a brand-new cast portraying beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. J.K. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

The series, still in the early stages of casting, suggests that production might be some time away. However, the involvement of a seasoned actor like Lithgow, who is renowned for his roles in "3rd Rock from the Sun" and his Emmy-winning performance as Winston Churchill in Netflix's "The Crown," adds a layer of excitement and anticipation for what's to come.

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