HBO Nears Deal with John Lithgow for Dumbledore Role in Harry Potter Series

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 highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot. According to Variety, Lithgow is on the verge of securing this pivotal role, though HBO has yet to officially confirm the casting. This news follows earlier reports from November that suggested Mark Rylance was the frontrunner for the part.

"We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation," an HBO spokesperson stated. "As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals."

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

Despite the buzz around casting, HBO has kept details tightly under wraps. The network is also in the process of casting the lead roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and has reportedly chosen Paapa Essiedu to play Severus Snape. The series aims to maintain a focus on British talent, a decision that aligns with the involvement of the original author, J.K. Rowling, who is said to be "fairly involved" in the casting process.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series promises 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 project is being spearheaded by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, with the latter also having contributed to Game of Thrones.