John Lithgow Calms Fears: Dumbledore Will Stay English in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot!

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The cast for HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” reboot is gradually taking shape. Notably, a key role in the entire series – Professor Albus Dumbledore – has been filled by John Lithgow, famously known for his role in “Shrek.” While Lithgow is an acclaimed actor with a diverse resume ranging from “Third Rock From the Sun” to “Star Wars,” some fans have raised eyebrows over his casting due to him being American. Nevertheless, Lithgow has sought to allay concerns by assuring everyone that he will deliver an authentic portrayal of the character.

During an interview with Collider, John Lithgow discussed the debate surrounding his casting in his latest film, “The Rule of Jenny Pen“. When asked about preparing for his role as Dumbledore, Lithgow mentioned he hadn’t delved too deeply into it yet but acknowledged that Dumbledore is indeed an Englishman. The actor shared that he has faced similar controversy regarding his own casting in the past.

Indeed, there’s quite a bit of debate about whether an American actor is portraying this character, as he is so renowned. However, I should clarify that I am half-British. I had the opportunity to play Roald Dahl, and I portrayed Winston Churchill.

Among the unforgettable characters in the Harry Potter series, Albus Dumbledore, played by the late Alan Rickman (initially), is undoubtedly one of the most iconic, standing out even alongside beloved figures like Dobby. In the highly successful Warner Bros. movies, Dumbledore was first portrayed by Richard Harris, who was later succeeded by Michael Gambon after his passing. Additionally, Jude Law played a younger Dumbledore in the contentious Fantastic Beasts film series. Lithgow assures us he’s committed to capturing the character’s accent accurately and will make every effort to get it right. He added:

“I’ll spend some time with a dialect coach. Don’t worry about that.”

John Lithgow Eases One of the Biggest Fears About HBO’s ‘Harry Potter‘ Series

The remake of HBO’s Harry Potter series is facing a tough challenge due to the negative public image surrounding J.K. Rowling’s persistent transphobic comments on social media, and some people question the need for a reboot given how cherished the original films are.

For anyone considering the upcoming HBO series, John Lithgow asserts that the program, with its distinctly British roots, will remain untouched by Americanization. In his own words, “Dumbledore can only be English; I must simply do my best.” The concern among fans arose when Lithgow was cast as Albus Dumbledore, fearing HBO might alter the franchise to an American setting, potentially relocating Hogwarts within the U.S. and adopting American accents. However, with Lithgow’s statement, those worries seem unfounded.

During the same conversation, Lithgow expressed his thoughts about portraying Dumbledore throughout HBO’s potential revival of the series (assuming it gets the go-ahead for multiple seasons). “It’s quite intimidating, but it’s absolutely something I wouldn’t want to turn down.” As of now, there’s no announced debut date for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot, with an anticipated release slated around 2027.

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2025-03-06 22:41