The Harry Potter universe is getting a fresh start, and with it comes a new Albus Dumbledore. Acclaimed Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow is officially stepping into the legendary wizard’s shoes for the upcoming Harry Potter series.
During a recent appearance on the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Lithgow confirmed his casting and shared his excitement about taking on the role. While following in the footsteps of Michael Gambon and Richard Harris is no small feat, the actor isn’t intimidated. Instead, he sees it as an incredible opportunity.
Although the full cast lineup for the series hasn’t been announced yet, Lithgow assured fans that he will indeed portray Albus Dumbledore. The shooting schedule is yet to be finalized, but with production set to take place in England, he noted that travelling from the U.S. will be manageable. Fans of historical dramas might remember Lithgow from his portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Crown.
When asked about the challenge of playing Dumbledore, Lithgow seemed unfazed. He remarked, “You know, Dumbledore, he’s kind of this nuclear weapon. He only goes off very, very occasionally. And I don’t think it’s gonna be that hard a job.” At nearly 80 years old, Lithgow sees this long-term role as an exciting new chapter in his career. “If this is indeed a seven or eight-year-long job, it’s a wonderful way to grow old as an actor,” he reflected, joking that the alternative would be playing “an Alzheimer’s patient with a lot of weeping middle-aged children.”
As anticipation builds, Lithgow is immersing himself in J.K. Rowling’s novels to better understand the character. “I’m halfway through the second of these seven novels,” he admitted, acknowledging that he still has a lot to catch up on. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await news about the casting of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, hoping the new trio can live up to the magic created by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
The series will be helmed by Succession showrunners Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, adding to the excitement surrounding this ambitious reboot. While there’s still much to be revealed, one thing is certain—Lithgow’s portrayal of Dumbledore is set to bring a fresh yet familiar magic to the Wizarding World.
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