John Lithgow Cast as Albus Dumbledore in HBO Reboot

John Lithgow has been officially cast as Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter reboot series, a decision that has sparked debate due to his American nationality, as all previous Dumbledore actors have been British. Lithgow acknowledged the criticism but expressed excitement and a sense of honor for the role, noting his previous success playing British figures such as Winston Churchill on 'The Crown.' He is preparing for the part by reading the Harry Potter novels and emphasized his commitment to delivering a strong performance despite skepticism. HBO also announced other key castings, including 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. The series will devote each season to a single novel, aiming for a faithful adaptation. Lithgow described the opportunity as both thrilling and intimidating, seeing it as a meaningful way to continue his acting career.