Shocking Casting: John Lithgow Takes on Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter Reboot!

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The highly anticipated HBO remake of the Harry Potter series has at last cast its cherished head professor. Contrary to earlier speculations that Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance would secure the role, it appears HBO is venturing down a different path. In an unexpected twist, the network will be introducing a non-British actor for this beloved character, and his name might not have been on many radars before now. Get ready to meet the next Dumbledore – John Lithgow.

According to Deadline, it appears that John Lithgow is nearing a deal to take on the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter reboot for HBO. Although there were several actors vying for this prestigious part, Lithgow seems to have secured one of the most exciting TV productions underway at the moment. The six-time Emmy Award recipient has long been due for a significant franchise role, and if the deal goes through, he will be portraying Dumbledore for the foreseeable future. It’s worth noting that Lithgow was previously nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on two occasions, for Terms of Endearment and The World According to Garp.

Lithgow becomes part of a prestigious group of actors who’ve embodied the renowned character. Previous portrayals by Michael Gambon, Jude Law, and Richard Harris each left their unique mark on the big screen. HBO declined to comment specifically on the casting, but they released a statement regarding the recent news:

We understand that with such a prominent show, there may be a lot of gossip and guesswork. During the pre-production phase, we’ll only reveal facts once we’ve solidified agreements.

‘Harry Potter’ Begins to Round Out Its Cast

Though Mark Rylance initially seemed set to play Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter, John Lithgow is now a valuable addition to the cast list for the series so far, with Gangs of London star Paapa Essiedu being tipped by HBO to portray Severus Snape instead. Previously played by the late Alan Rickman, Essiedu will move around Hogwarts alongside Lithgow. Furthermore, there are rumors that Oscar-nominated actress and Ozark star Janet McTeer is in negotiations to take over the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall, previously held by the late Maggie Smith. At this point, no deals have been signed, but HBO has been looking at top-tier talent since the show’s contentious debut.

The most significant casting choices for HBO’s Harry Potter series have not been finalized yet. Originally played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley respectively, the actors for these roles are currently unconfirmed. However, it has been stated that the production is actively seeking talent from diverse backgrounds worldwide, disregarding factors such as ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected category under law in their casting process.

For each character, we encourage submissions from talented individuals regardless of their ethnicity, sex, physical abilities, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please note that specific exceptions may apply for certain roles.

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2025-02-13 01:05