Why John Lithgow’s Harry Potter Casting As Is Significant

HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot is one of the most exciting projects in the entertainment industry right now, and there is a lot of chatter about who will be playing each role. The role of Professor Albus Dumbledore is no longer a mystery, though, as former Dexter star John Lithgow has confirmed that he has been cast as the Hogwarts headmaster for the Harry Potter television show.

There is no denying his talent as an actor, and the decision to cast him has been met with plenty of positivity. However, Lithgow taking up this role will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows for one specific reason, which Muggles will no doubt be talking about all the way until the show premieres, which is set to be in late 2026 or early 2027.

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John Lithgow Is A Rare American Actor In The Harry Potter Universe

Lithgow being cast in the Harry Potter reboot has broken a long-standing tradition regarding this franchise, which will no doubt spark some debate. That’s because the movies only hired British actors to take on all of the lead roles, outside of the international students in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This has been the case with Dumbledore, who has been played by three different actors over the years, all of whom are British. Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law have all portrayed the loveable and charming wizard in the past, which is what makes Lithgow’s casting so significant as it’s a huge departure from how the movies worked.

While Warner Bros did hire a few American actors, they were only involved in minor roles throughout the movies as British actors did all the heavy lifting. However, with just one character officially cast at this point, it’s already clear that HBO will not follow that rule. However, it is widely expected that Lithgow will use a British accent throughout his time on the show, in keeping with how JK Rowling wrote the characters. That shouldn’t be a problem for Lithgow, though, as he has portrayed British people in the past, most notably as Sir. Winston Churchill in Netflix’s The Crown, for which he won an Emmy.

This Opens Up HBO’s Casting Opportunities

The decision to cast Lithgow has opened up the possibilities of who could end up being in HBO’s Harry Potter. Throughout the film series, audiences quickly learned not to expect any significant American names despite the number of talented actors who were unable to be involved because of this rule. HBO opting to allow American actors to be part of the show is a decision that will provide them with more options on who to cast for each of the roles. This could lead to the Harry Potter television series having a drastically different look and feel, but that’s something that HBO should be trying to achieve anyway.

The fact that the last Harry Potter movie was released in 2011 could also be playing a factor in HBO’s decision to widen the net in regards to its casting options. While it was over a decade ago that the movie was in cinema, the vast majority of the cast are still among the biggest names in British cinema. That means HBO will have far fewer people to choose from this time around, as it’s unlikely they will be looking to bring back any of the original Harry Potter cast. Of course, the decision to hire Lithgow could just be a one-off when it comes to American actors, with an exception being made because those in charge of casting believe he’s the perfect option, but that will remain to be seen.

Who Else Has Been Linked To HBO’s Harry Potter Series?

HBO is expected to commence filming for the first season of Harry Potter in the summer of 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesdon in London, England. This is where the original movies were filmed, and considering the fact that it is now just around the corner, more names should be starting to be announced for the show. The audition process for the lead trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger has begun, which will be an important decision. Meanwhile, many major names are starting to be linked to some of the other roles.

Paapa Essiedu is reportedly HBO’s top target for playing Severus Snape, which would revert back to the more traditional way of British casting. There have also been rumors that Cillian Murphy is the man to portray Lord Voldemort, which former Dark Lord actor Ralph Fiennes has publicly backed. Ultimately, the casting process for Harry Potter will be detailed due to the number of characters there and the fact that most of them will be long-term commitments. But if Lithgow’s casting is anything to go by, then nothing is off the table with Harry Potter this time around.

Harry Potter

Showrunner

Francisca Gardiner

Directors

Mark Mylod

Franchise(s)

Harry Potter

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  John Lithgow

  Albus Dumbledore