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

By CarterApr 02,2025

HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with John Lithgow, renowned for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, to portray the iconic Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the much-anticipated 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, especially after Variety previously reported in November that Mark Rylance was the top choice for Dumbledore.

A spokesperson from HBO commented on the swirling rumors, 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 The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, Footloose, Dexter, and The Crown, among others.

John Lithgow. Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.

Despite various reports suggesting progress, the casting details for the Harry Potter series remain largely undisclosed. HBO is also on the hunt for actors to play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and it appears they have already selected Paapa Essiedu to portray Severus Snape.

The series aims to stay true to its British roots, a decision influenced by the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process. Announced in April 2023, the show promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour film format. The production team includes Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the latter of whom also contributed to Game of Thrones.

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