It’s official! HBO has found its Dumbledore for the new Harry Potter television series.
©Getty Images
In a new interview with ScreenRant, John Lithgow confirmed he will be playing the role of Hogwarts headmaster, following in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.
About his new role, Lithgow said, “Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited.”
©iMDB
He continued, saying, “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.”
So far, this is the only confirmed casting for the series. According to Variety, Paapa Essiedu is reportedly a top contender to play Severus Snape, while Harry, Hermione, and Ron will likely be played by newcomers.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
HBO describes this new Harry Potter series as a “faithful adaptation” that will “feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic details and much-loved characteristics ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years.”
Potter fans are in for an exciting time with this new series and the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic coming to Epic Universe at Universal Orlando!
Universal Orlando
The Ministry of Magic will add a new chapter to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando that blends the 1920s wizarding world of Paris from the Fantastic Beasts movies with the first Ministry of Magic from the original Harry Potter series.
It’s here that wizards and “non-magiques alike” will be “enamored with the majestic grandeur and enchanting ambiance of the city as they cast dazzling spells throughout the magical streets using interactive wands, encounter fantastic beasts at a traveling circus, and – for the first time ever within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – travel across countries and time to 1990s London using the Métro-Floo for a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic.”
©Universal — Ministry of Magic
The new land will feature a brand-new ride, several new entertainment options, four restaurants, and more!
In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more casting updates about this new series. Make sure you stay tuned to DFB for the latest theme park-related news and more!
EVERYTHING We Know About the NEW Harry Potter Land at Epic Universe
Will you be watching the new Harry Potter series? Tell us in the comments.
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This is trash. No Americans should be in Harry Potter!
An American playing a British wizard. Yeah, don’t think so. I’m tired of these tv show remakes. Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power was NOT how it was originally supposed to be. The timeline was compressed with Gandalf being introduced thousands of YEARS before he was actually in Middle Earth in the books. Characters who never met each other. And not a tv version of a popular book and movie series. What is it? A day in the life of Harry, Hermione and Ron? What they get up to outside of the movies?
John Lithgow will be much better than Richard Harris. Harris was not a good Dumbledore.