John Lithgow hints at playing to Dumbledore in Harry Potter series

After weeks of speculation, John Lithgow has seemingly confirmed that he will be stepping into the role of Hogwarts’ beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series. The 79-year-old actor spoke with ScreenRant, revealing that the offer “came as a total surprise” but that he’s ready for the challenge.
“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,” Lithgow shared. The upcoming series will be a multi-season adaptation, diving deep into each of J.K. Rowling’s seven books, which means a long-term commitment for its cast. Acknowledging this, Lithgow joked about how much time he’d be dedicating to the role.
“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,” he quipped. While Lithgow’s comments suggest he’s on board, PEOPLE has since reported that his deal has not been finalized. HBO also issued a statement, neither confirming nor denying his involvement.
“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.” With no official confirmation from HBO, fans will have to wait a bit longer to see if Lithgow will indeed take on the role of the wise and enigmatic Dumbledore. However, his enthusiasm and apparent commitment to the character have already sparked excitement among Harry Potter fans worldwide.