John Lithgow Cast as Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV Series
Image credits: Photo: No credits available in the provided data, but the article was written by Ryan Northrup.
The world of Harry Potter is set to return to the small screen with a new TV series on HBO, and the first major casting announcement has been made. John Lithgow, a veteran actor known for his roles in The Crown and Conclave, has confirmed that he will be playing the role of Albus Dumbledore in the series. This marks a significant franchise first, as Lithgow is an American actor, whereas the previous actors to play Dumbledore, Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, were both British.
Lithgow's casting was confirmed in an interview, where he stated that he was approached with the role at the Sundance Film Festival and found it to be a challenging decision due to the immense time commitment required. However, he expressed his excitement about the project and the opportunity to work with the wonderful people involved. The series is set to start production in summer 2025 and is targeting a release in late 2026 or early 2027. Lithgow's comment makes him the first actor to be confirmed for the Harry Potter TV show's cast, and it is expected that more casting announcements will follow in the coming weeks.
The Harry Potter TV series is being developed by HBO, with Francesca Gardiner serving as showrunner and Mark Mylod directing multiple episodes. The series promises to deliver a deeper exploration of the wizarding world and will be a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. The show's production is currently underway, with filming set to take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K. The casting of Lithgow as Dumbledore has sparked some debate among fans, with some expressing their disappointment that a British actor was not chosen for the role. However, others have come to Lithgow's defense, arguing that his acting abilities and experience make him an excellent choice for the part.
Other roles in the series are still being cast, with reports suggesting that Paapa Essiedu is being considered for the role of Severus Snape. The main trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley has yet to be cast, but the show has put out a wide casting call for the young characters. The series is expected to run for multiple seasons, with each season covering one book from the series. The production team is working closely with J.K. Rowling, who is serving as an executive producer on the show. The series is set to be a major undertaking, with a large budget and a talented team of writers, directors, and actors involved.
In terms of the cast and crew, the following individuals are being considered for roles:
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Adam Driver as Severus Snape
- Sharon Horgan as Minerva McGonagall
- Rachel Weisz as Minerva McGonagall
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