John Lithgow Says Playing Dumbledore in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Was ‘Not an Easy Decision’ Because ‘I’ll Be About 87 Years Old at the Wrap Party’

John Lithgow confirmed in a new interview with ScreenRant that he will be playing Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s “Harry Potter” television series. Variety reported earlier this month that Lithgow was eyeing the role. Lithgow now follows in the footsteps of actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who played the iconic Hogwarts headmaster in the “Harry Potter” film franchise.

“Well, it came as a total surprise to me,” Lithgow said about the role. “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.”

Lithgow continued, “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.”

The plan for the “Harry Potter” HBO series is to make each book in J.K. Rowling’s series its own season of television, which means the show plans to run for seven seasons. That’s at least seven years of Lithgow’s life, if not more, as Dumbledore appears in every installment. Lithgow is currently 79 years old.

Along with Lithgow, HBO’s “Harry Potter’ cast may include Paapa Essiedu, who is reportedly a top contender to play potions professor Severus Snape. Harry, Hermione and Ron — the trio of main characters — will likely be played by newcomers; Warner Bros. launched an open casting call for kids aged between 9 and 11 in the fall of 2024.

HBO has described its “Harry Potter” series as “a faithful adaptation” that “will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters ‘Harry Potter’ fans have loved for over twenty-five years.”