HBO’s Harry Potter Star John Lithgow Defends Playing Dumbledore

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Summary

  • John Lithgow confirms playing Dumbledore & asserts his Englishness despite being American.
  • Harry Potter franchise evolves into series amidst fan criticism but retains popularity.
  • Daniel Radcliffe rumored to play Clayface for DC Studios, possibly making HP reboot cameo.

Following the announcement of John Lithgow’s role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s new Harry Potter adaptation, the actor has addressed critics who raised concerns about an American portraying the beloved wizard character. A seasoned actor with notable roles in shows like Interstellar, The Crown, and Dexter, Lithgow has been working in the industry since the 70s. Notably, he mentioned that during the wrap party for the Harry Potter reboot series, he will be approximately 87 years old.

Over the years since the success of the seven-book series and its eight-part movie adaptation from 2001 to 2011, the Harry Potter universe has maintained its appeal by introducing spin-off films like Fantastic Beasts and the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, written by Jack Thorne. These additions have expanded the larger Wizarding World. While the filming process may have been rather dull to create the enchanting final product, as admitted by actor Jason Isaacs, the love for the franchise among fans is expected to keep growing with HBO’s upcoming adaptation of the original material.

Harry Potter Reboot Star John Lithgow Confirms Dumbledore Will Remain an Englishman

In an interview with Collider, John Lithgow clarified to concerned fans that Albus Dumbledore will continue to be portrayed as British, despite Lithgow being American himself. Lithgow was initially linked to the role of Dumbledore in early February 2025, and some fans have raised concerns about his American heritage (even though he is half-English) regarding the casting decision. “There’s been a lot of debate that an American has been chosen for this role,” Lithgow acknowledged, and he also sought to alleviate fan worries by stating, “I’ve already played Roald Dahl and Winston Churchill. I’ll work with a dialect coach if necessary. Don’t worry about it.

In the actor’s thoughts, Dumbledore had to embody nothing but Englishness, and Lithgow fondly recalled his time on The Crown, stating that the English performers he worked with there had greater faith in his English identity than he did himself. Once the actor confirmed his role as Hogwarts’ powerful headmaster, Lithgow mentioned that the Harry Potter reboot would mark the finale of his life and career, stressing that making this choice was not a simple task. Essentially, Lithgow is eager to do an outstanding job, expressing his anticipation for returning to the Harry Potter series and collaborating with actors known as the cream of the crop.

In the upcoming wave of actors taking on roles from popular fictional worlds, Harry Potter’s lead Daniel Radcliffe is reportedly set to portray Clayface for DC Studios. Demonstrating his versatility since his days as a wizard, Radcliffe is an excellent pick to bring the less prominent Batman antagonist to life on the big screen, enriching the character’s tragic tale. Furthermore, fans have longed for him to embody a younger Wolverine in Marvel’s cinematic universe, and Potterheads are also eagerly anticipating Radcliffe’s potential appearance in the reboot series, potentially alongside original co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

HBO’s Harry Potter series is expected to air sometime in 2026 or 2027 on Max.

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2025-02-28 18:09