John Lithgow Says 'I've Said Yes' to Role of Dumbledore inHarry PotterTV Series After Casting Speculation

Mar. 15, 2025

John Lithgow (left); Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ (right).Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Murray Close/Warner Bros

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Murray Close/Warner Bros

After weeks of speculation,John Lithgowseems to have confirmed that he will be stepping into the shoes of Hogwarts' iconic headmaster.

“I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid,” Lithgow said, referring to the fact that the multi-season series will take a deep dive into each ofJ.K. Rowling’s seven books.

Still, he told the outlet he’s “very excited” and praised the team behind the latest adaptation as “wonderful,” though he did acknowledge the major time commitment the role would be.

“That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes,” he said.

PEOPLE has since learned that Lithgow’s deal to play the iconic character has not been closed yet. While HBO could not confirm whether he’s been cast in the role, the network said in a statement to PEOPLE: “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 on the ‘Today’ show on Nov. 20, 2024.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

In June,she teased that the series “will more than live up to expectations"in aposton X as she celebratedSuccessionalums Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod joining the team as writer and director, respectively. She wrote that she’d “read Francesca’s pilot script and heard Mark’s vision” for the series and knew they “both have a genuine passion” for the story.

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’.Warner Bros./TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

Warner Bros./TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

In September,casting call posters made the rounds onlineas the network began the process of finding their new Harry (Daniel Radcliffein the films), Hermione Granger (Emma Watsonin the films) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grintin the films).

Per the posters, children between the ages of 9 and 11 who are residents of Ireland or the U.K. were eligible for the roles.

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He said “no one” had “approached” him about the series but that “maybe in a few years, I could do Dumbledore.” Oldman. 66, was pretty sure, though, that they’d “get a whole new cast of people” involved.

source: people.com