Veteran American actor John Lithgow has been officially cast as Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter television series, based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels. The news has sparked mixed reactions among fans, particularly due to Lithgow’s American background, as the role has traditionally been portrayed by British actors.
Lithgow, known for his acclaimed performances in Interstellar and The Crown, acknowledged the legacy of the character, particularly following the late Michael Gambon, who portrayed Dumbledore in six of the eight original Harry Potter films. Richard Harris originated the role in the first two installments before his passing in 2002.
Speaking on BBC’s The One Show, Lithgow addressed fan concerns about his casting. “I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV,” he said. “I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine.”
He added, “It’s an enormous thrill. I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard. But I will do my best.”
In an earlier appearance on the SmartLess podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Lithgow commented on the role, downplaying the difficulty: “You know, Dumbledore is — he’s kind of the nuclear weapon. He only goes on very, very occasionally… I don’t think it’s going to be that hard a job.”
The new Harry Potter series, developed by Max and helmed by writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner, features a fresh cast including Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Fans are eager to see how Lithgow will interpret the iconic role and whether he can win over the devoted Harry Potter fanbase.