John Lithgow Reveals He'll Play Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV Series

HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series has reportedly secured its first major casting: the legendary John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore. While HBO and Warner Bros. haven't officially confirmed the news, Lithgow himself revealed his acceptance of the role in an interview with ScreenRant.

He described the decision as challenging, stating that the role will significantly shape the "last chapter" of his career. Lithgow expressed excitement about joining the project, noting the renewed interest in the Harry Potter universe. He even playfully acknowledged his age, estimating he'll be 87 by the wrap party.

This marks the first confirmed casting for the series, which aims to reimagine J.K. Rowling's books with a completely new ensemble cast. Rowling will serve as executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

The lack of a full cast suggests the show is still in the early stages of development. Lithgow, a celebrated actor with a diverse career spanning film and television, is perhaps best known for his comedic role in 3rd Rock from the Sun and his Emmy-winning portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown.

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