A legendary wizard needs a legendary actor, and HBO may have found just the right one. Six-time Emmy winner John Lithgow is reportedly in final negotiations to take on the hugely important role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, according to a report by Deadline this afternoon. HBO have declined to comment on the story from Deadline, saying:
“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.”
HBO’s Harry Potter series is helmed by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (Succession, His Dark Materials) and director/executive producer Mark Mylod. The show is being developed as a long-running adaptation, with each season focusing on one book in the seven-novel saga. Filming will take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the same location where the original Harry Potter films were shot. The series is expected to premiere on HBO sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
Why John Lithgow Would Be a Unique Choice to Play Albus Dumbledore
Dumbledore, one of the most powerful wizards in the Harry Potter universe, serves as the headmaster of Hogwarts and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. The character was previously played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the original films, with Jude Law portraying a younger version in the best forgotten Fantastic Beasts prequels.
This would be a landmark casting for a multitude of reasons. Of course, Dumbledore is, for many, the heart and soul of the story so getting his casting correct is terribly important. But in another way, this shows that JK Rowling‘s iron grip over the franchise is loosening. Rowling — who was once known as a popular author of children’s books, before becoming a figure of controversy — famously dictated that the cast of the Harry Potter movies should all be either British or Irish. Dumbledore’s two actors in the film series, Harris and Gambon, were both Irish. However, Lithgow has plenty of experience playing British figures in the past, and one of his Emmy wins for for playing Winston Churchill in The Crown. He also recently played Roald Dahl on stage in the UK.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the future of the Harry Potter series from HBO as the acceptance letters to Hogwarts prepare to arrive via owl.
via Collider