John Lithgow is taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming “Harry Potter” television series, a casting choice that has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Speaking on BBC’s The One Show, Lithgow acknowledged the skepticism from some viewers but said he’s approaching the part with enthusiasm and care.
“I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on television,” he said. “I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill and did just fine.”
Lithgow’s selection for the role comes as Max develops a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, described as a more detailed interpretation of the original text. The project is being led by writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner.
The veteran American actor joins a cast that includes Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Lithgow acknowledged the reaction from segments of the fanbase who questioned casting an American actor as a character closely associated with British literary and cinematic tradition. “I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard,” he said. “But I will do my best.”
The role of Dumbledore has a long history on screen. Richard Harris portrayed the character in the first two films, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and The Chamber of Secrets (2002). After Harris’s death in 2002, Michael Gambon took over the role from the third film through to the final installment in 2011. Jude Law later portrayed a younger version of the character in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) and The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).
Lithgow’s career spans stage, television, and film, with a range of performances that include both comedic and dramatic roles. His portrayal of Winston Churchill in Netflix’s The Crown earned critical acclaim, and he has won multiple awards across decades of work.
The Max series has not yet announced a premiere date.
