HBO is gradually expanding the cast for its highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot, recently announcing a significant addition: John Lithgow will portray Professor Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow, known for his roles in Shrek, Third Rock From the Sun, and even Star Wars, has sparked controversy among fans due to his American nationality. Social media quickly buzzed with mixed reactions, but Lithgow is confident he can do justice to the beloved character.
In an interview with Collider to promote his new film, The Rule of Jenny Pen, Lithgow directly addressed the backlash over his casting. When asked if he had begun preparing for the role, he replied, “Not a lot, but he’s certainly an Englishman.” Acknowledging the controversy, he added, “In fact, there’s a good deal of controversy that an American has been hired to play him. He’s such an iconic [character]. But I’m half-English. I just played Roald Dahl, I’ve played Winston Churchill.”
Albus Dumbledore is one of the most iconic figures in the Harry Potter series, rivaled only by characters like Severus Snape. In the original Warner Bros. films, the role was first portrayed by Richard Harris and, following his death, by Michael Gambon. A younger version of Dumbledore was also played by Jude Law in the Fantastic Beasts series. Aware of the pressure, Lithgow assured fans that he would faithfully adopt Dumbledore’s British accent and mannerisms. “I’ll spend some time with a dialect coach. Don’t worry about that,” he promised.
The HBO reboot faces additional challenges beyond casting controversies. The franchise’s public image has been marred by J.K. Rowling’s contentious statements on social media, and the original films’ popularity has left many questioning the necessity of a reboot. However, for fans willing to give the new series a chance, Lithgow’s words offer some reassurance. He emphasized that the show would retain its quintessentially British essence. “Dumbledore couldn’t be anything other than English, I just have to do my best,” he stated, dismissing fears of an Americanized Hogwarts with U.S. accents.
Lithgow also spoke about the daunting commitment of portraying Dumbledore throughout HBO’s planned multi-season series, assuming it is successful enough to continue. “It’s pretty scary, but it’s certainly not anything I would dream of saying no to,” he admitted. While an official release date has not been confirmed, the series is anticipated to debut sometime in 2027.