Legendary actor John Lithgow has signed on to become the third actor to play Albus Dumbledore.
Lithgow will play the Hogwarts headmaster in the upcoming HBO “Harry Potter” TV series, the Daily Wire reported.
Michael Gambon and Richard Harris played Dumbledore in the“Harry Potter” movie franchise. The series is based on the books by J.K. Rowling.
Lithgow, 79, said he was supposed to get the role.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me. 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,” he said.
“But I’m very excited,” he said. “Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to ‘Harry Potter.’ That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Other than the addition of Lithgow to the cast, not many other details have been released.
HBO said earlier that filming will start in the U.K. in summer of 2025 and could be released in 2026, the outlet noted.
British star Paapa Essiedu was reportedly being considered to play Professor Severus Snape, but Essiedu, 34, apparently has not accepted the part, as of yet.
“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” HBO said. “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
Snape was played by Alan Rickman in the movie franchise.
The series is being touted as “a faithful adaptation of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling,” according to the logline or summary.
“The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years,” it added. “Each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
Lithgow received a SAG Award Sunday for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for “Conclave” along with Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Sergio Castellitto, E! News reported.
