HBO is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with acclaimed actor John Lithgow to take on the iconic role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot series.
According to a report by Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing the role of Dumbledore, though HBO has not yet confirmed this casting. This development comes as a surprise, especially since Variety had previously mentioned in November that Mark Rylance was the frontrunner for the part.
A spokesperson from HBO commented, "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, best known for his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, has an extensive career with notable performances in films like The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Footloose, as well as TV shows such as Dexter and The Crown.
Despite various reports, casting details for the series remain tightly under wraps. HBO is also in the process of casting for the pivotal 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, a decision perhaps influenced by the involvement of original author J.K. Rowling, who is "fairly involved" in the casting process.
Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter TV series promises to be a "faithful adaptation" of the beloved novels, offering a more "in-depth" exploration of the story than what was possible in the two-hour films. The project is being helmed by Succession's Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the latter of whom also worked on Game of Thrones.
