It's Official: John Lithgow Plays Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Series!

According to rumors, the actors for Harry, Ron and Hermione have already been cast as well

By Jonas Reichel on 3 min reading time

The first significant casting for the highly anticipated "Harry Potter" series is now official: "Conclave" actor John Lithgow will play the iconic role of Albus Dumbledore.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Lithgow revealed that he was surprised himself and also admitted that the decision to take on the role was not an easy one. Quote:

"Well, it came as a total surprise to me. 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, 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."

Lithgow, known for the series "Dexter" and "The Crown", thus follows in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in the original "Harry Potter" movies. So it's not an easy legacy.

Other well-known actors had previously been considered for the role. Mark Rylance in particular was seen as a favorite, but decided against the role after he backed out following the death of his wife. At one point, Mark Strong was also in discussion.

The new "Harry Potter" series will adapt the seven books by J.K. Rowling in one season each. There is no exact release date yet, but experts assume that the first season won't premiere on HBO before the end of 2026 or even 2027 at the earliest. According to rumors, the actors for Harry, Ron and Hermione have already been cast as well, but no further details are known.

Why Richard Harris and Michael Gambon Wowed as Dumbledore

The "Harry Potter" film series lives not only from its magical world, but also from its iconic characters. One of the central characters is Albus Dumbledore, the wise and charismatic principal of Hogwarts. Two great actors were responsible for his portrayal: Richard Harris in the first two movies and, after his passing, Michael Gambon from the third installment onwards. Both brought their own interpretation to the role and delighted fans in different ways.

Richard Harris - The Gentle Mentor

Richard Harris played Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001) and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002). His portrayal was calm, wise and fatherly - exactly what many fans expected from the books. His gentle voice, thoughtful demeanor and humorous charm made him a perfect mentor for Harry. Especially in scenes such as the conversation with Harry in front of the Mirror of Erised or in the Chamber of Secrets, his calm authority came to the fore.

Harris' Dumbledore radiated an almost fairytale-like warmth. His interpretation was based on a classic image of the wise old wizard - gentle, kind and full of life experience. Unfortunately, Harris passed away in 2002, so the role had to be recast.

Michael Gambon - The Dynamic Dumbledore

Starting with "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004), Michael Gambon took over the role and gave Dumbledore a new twist. His interpretation was more energetic, spirited and less predictable. In the later movies in particular, he became a multi-faceted character who was not only wise and kind, but also fierce and determined.

Gambon's Dumbledore was especially passionate in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005) - even if his energetic inquiry "Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" caused discussion among fans. However, his portrayal did not make Dumbledore any less credible. Rather, he embodied the complexity of the character, who was not only a loving principal but also a determined fighter against evil.

Two Magnificent Dumbledores

Richard Harris and Michael Gambon showed different aspects of the same character, both in their own brilliant way. While Harris embodied the gentle, classic Dumbledore, Gambon brought a more modern, energetic interpretation. Together they created an unforgettable image of one of the most fascinating wizards in film history.