John Lithgow Confirmed to Play Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter TV Series
Image credits: 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 3rd Rock from the Sun and The Crown, has confirmed that he will be playing the role of Albus Dumbledore in the series. This news comes after weeks of speculation and rumors about who would take on the iconic character, previously played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the film franchise.
Lithgow's confirmation of his role as Dumbledore is a significant development in the production of the Harry Potter TV series, which is set to premiere in 2026. The show is being developed by HBO, with Francesca Gardiner serving as showrunner, and is expected to be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven-book series. Lithgow's casting as Dumbledore marks a departure from the traditional British casting of the character, and it will be interesting to see how he brings his own unique interpretation to the role. In an interview, Lithgow discussed the challenges of taking on the iconic character, stating that it was a difficult decision due to the immense time commitment required, but he is excited to be a part of the project.
The Harry Potter TV series is expected to be a major production, with a large budget and a talented cast and crew. The show is set to film at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, and is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027. With Lithgow on board as Dumbledore, fans of the franchise are eagerly awaiting further casting announcements, including who will play the main trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The show has already put out a wide casting call for the young characters, and it is expected that the actors chosen may not be recognizable names.
Some of the other characters in the series have also been rumored to be cast, including Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. However, no official announcements have been made regarding these roles. The show's production team is keeping tight-lipped about the casting process, but with Lithgow's confirmation as Dumbledore, it is likely that further announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The Harry Potter TV series is set to be a major event in the world of entertainment, and fans of the franchise are eagerly awaiting its premiere.
The show's casting process has been the subject of much speculation and rumor, with many fans taking to social media to discuss their thoughts on who should play the various characters. The show's producers have stated that they are looking for talented young actors to play the main trio, and that they will be holding auditions in the coming months. With the show's premiere still over a year away, there is plenty of time for the casting process to be completed, and for the show's production team to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in a new and exciting way. Some of the key events and releases related to the series include:
- Summer 2025: Filming of the episodes is set to begin at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK
- Late 2026 or early 2027: The show is expected to premiere on HBO
- 2026: The show is expected to adapt one of J.K. Rowling's seven books per season
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