Word on Diagon Alley is that John Lithgow, most recently seen in the Oscar-nominated thriller Conclave and the queer family drama Jimpa with Olivia Colman, is set to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter series!

Before donning Dumbledore's robes, the two-time Tony Award winner will portray Roald Dahl on the West End in Giant, a vital portrait of the author and his widely publicized antisemitic views, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

About the Harry Potter Series

Planned to run for over a decade, the show will explore details the movies couldn't fully capture. Will we finally meet Winky the house-elf? Uncover the true meaning behind the prophecy? Learn the backstories of beloved characters who didn't get enough screen time?

Led by writer/showrunner Francesca Gardiner (Killing Eve, Succession) and director/executive producer Mark Mylod (Succession), the show has secured costume designer Holly Waddington, fresh off her Oscar win for Poor Things starring Emma Stone.

Other casting rumors include Cillian Murphy as Voldemort and Paapa Essiedu, who was allegedly offered the role of Severus Snape. Warner Bros launched an open casting call in September 2024 for UK- and Ireland-based child actors aged 911 to play Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Auditions required two self-tapes featuring a poem or story (but no Harry Potter material). While there's no set premiere date yet, Warner Bros Discovery is aiming for 2026.

About John Lithgow

A veteran of both drama and comedy, John Lithgow earned two Oscar nominations in the '80s (The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment) and won three Emmys for 3rd Rock from the Sun. You may also recognize him as the voice of Lord Farquaad or from his acclaimed TV roles, including Churchill in The Crown, a killer in Dexter, and recent performances in The Old Man and Conclave. At 79, he seems like the perfect Dumbledore - though he'd be nearly 90 by the time the series wraps!