HBO Reportedly in Final Talks With John Lithgow to Play Dumbledore in Harry Potter Series

HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with John Lithgow, known for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot series. According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing this pivotal role, although HBO has yet to officially confirm the casting. This development comes as a surprise, considering earlier reports in November suggested that Mark Rylance was the frontrunner for the role of Dumbledore.

A spokesperson from HBO commented on the ongoing speculation, stating, "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."

John Lithgow's extensive acting career includes notable performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as TV series such as Dexter and The Crown.

Despite various reports, the casting for the Harry Potter series remains largely confidential. HBO is also in the process of casting for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and it appears they have found their Severus Snape in Paapa Essiedu.

The series aims to maintain a focus on British talent, which aligns with the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is described as "fairly involved" in the casting process. Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter show is set to be a "faithful adaptation" of the novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the films. The series will be directed and written by Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, both of whom have worked on the acclaimed series Succession, with Mylod also contributing to Game of Thrones.