HBO is zeroing in on a key castmember for its Harry Potter series.
The cable network is negotiating with John Lithgow for him to portray Albus Dumbledore, the principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This comes after reports from THR that actor Paapa Essiedu (from ‘I May Destroy You’) is being considered for the role of Professor Severus Snape.
HBO declined comment.
The Harry Potter television series is being referred to as a “loyal” rendition of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga detailing Harry Potter’s years at Hogwarts and his ultimate confrontation with the malevolent Lord Voldemort. In November, the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group expressed his enthusiasm for this project, stating that as an avid reader himself, he was thrilled about the prospect of delving deeper into these stories than a two-hour film would allow.
If Lithgow were chosen to play Dumbledore, it would mark a departure from the Harry Potter film series, which predominantly cast British actors. Richard Harris initially portrayed Dumbledore in the first two films, with Michael Gambon assuming the role following Harris’s passing in 2002.
John Lithgow has won two Emmys, the most recent one in 2017 for his role as Winston Churchill on “The Crown”. Currently, he’s starring in movies that are nominated for Best Picture, such as “Conclave”, and in “Jimpa” which premiered at Sundance alongside Olivia Colman. His television roles also include “The Old Man” on FX, “Perry Mason” on HBO, and “Dexter” on Showtime, where he also won an Emmy. John Lithgow is represented by United Talent Agency (UTA), Anonymous Content, Hansen Jacobson, and Viewpoint.
As an enthusiastic fan, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be part of the team bringing the magical world of Harry Potter back to life! Francesca Gardiner, our dedicated showrunner, is at the helm, and Mark Mylod will direct several episodes. J.K. Rowling, along with her Bronté Film and TV partners Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who was instrumental in the movie franchise, are also executive producers. The series is expected to make its grand entrance somewhere between late 2026 and early 2027!
Deadline first reported the news.
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2025-02-13 01:24