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HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series will feature none other than Rochester-native John Lithgow as the beloved Hogwarts headmaster, the actor confirmed to Screen Rant.
Lithgow, 79, acknowledged that the decision to accept the iconic role wasn’t easy given the sheer magnitude of the project.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me,” he told Screen Rant. “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited.”
Lithgow noted that he would be around 87 by the time production wrapped, “but I’ve said yes.”
John Lithgow in 2008.
The highly-anticipated series, which has yet to get an official title, promises a faithful, book-centric retelling of the iconic wizarding world created by JK Rowling, with new faces bringing familiar characters to life.
Filming is set to begin at Warner Bros. Studios in the United Kingdom, with the series premiering on HBO in late 2026 or early 2027.
The role of Dumbledore was played by late actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the films.
Lithgow has appeared in a number of stage and screen productions dating back to the early 1970s. Among his most notable roles are his Emmy-winning turn as Dick Solomon in NBC’s hit series, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and his chilling portrayal of Winston Churchill in the Netflix original series, The Crown.
With an undeniable knack for blending warmth and wisdom, Lithgow seems more than ready to lead Hogwarts’ next generation of witches and wizards.
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