John Lithgow Discusses Role as Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter Reboot

The Emmy-winning actor shares insights on his preparation, expectations, and challenges as filming for the series is set to begin in summer 2025.

John Lithgow, 79, has been officially cast as Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, marking the first confirmed casting for the project.
The actor revealed he is currently reading the Harry Potter books to prepare for the role and is halfway through the second novel.
Lithgow described the role as manageable, noting that Dumbledore's limited appearances in the storyline make the job less demanding than expected.
He acknowledged the decision to take on the iconic role was difficult, as it will define the final chapter of his career, with the series spanning seven or more years.
Filming for the series is scheduled to start in summer 2025 in England, with a planned premiere in late 2026 or early 2027, aiming to deliver a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novels.