Lithgow’s Magical Leap

Veteran actor John Lithgow is stepping into the iconic robes of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot — but despite his late start in exploring the wizarding world, he’s confident the role won’t be “that hard.”

The six-time Emmy winner confirmed his casting nearly a month ago, acknowledging that the decision wasn’t taken lightly. “It was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,” he admitted.

Now, at 79, Lithgow is immersing himself in the magical universe, catching up on J.K. Rowling’s novels and preparing for the long-haul production. Speaking on the Smartless podcast, he described the project as a major commitment: “The overall concept of this entire reboot of Harry Potter is an entire season devoted to a single novel.”

A New Dumbledore for a New Generation

HBO Max first announced plans for the series in 2023, promising a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s books. Set to begin filming this summer in Leavesden — the same UK studio where the original films were shot — the series is expected to premiere between late 2026 and early 2027.

The adaptation will span all seven books, meaning Lithgow could be portraying Dumbledore for nearly a decade. However, he remains unfazed by the prospect of an extended shoot, recalling his time filming The Crown:

"I was over in England for eight months for The Crown and barely came back [to the US]. I think I may have come back once or twice. I imagine that I can come back much more.”

Lithgow previously played Winston Churchill in Netflix’s royal drama, a performance that earned him an Emmy.

Following in Legendary Footsteps

Dumbledore has been portrayed by three actors in the Harry Potter film franchise: Richard Harris (2001–2002), Michael Gambon (2004–2011), and Jude Law, who played a younger version in the Fantastic Beasts prequels.

Casting for other key roles is ongoing, with Paapa Essiedu rumored for Severus Snape and Brett Goldstein reportedly in talks to play Hagrid. Meanwhile, an astonishing 32,000 young actors have auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, though no official announcements have been made.

As Lithgow takes on Dumbledore, he sees it as a fitting final chapter: “A wonderful way to grow old as an actor.” For Harry Potter fans, a new era of magic is on the horizon.