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John Lithgow has officially stepped into the role of Hogwarts' iconic headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. On 7th October, the 79-year-old actor was photographed on the set of the upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series, sporting a long, wispy white beard and oversized robes while standing on a sandy beach. Lithgow’s white hair and signature small glasses completed the classic Dumbledore look fans know from the films.
This marks John Lithgow's first public appearance on set since production began in July, with filming taking place across locations in England over the past three months. Other set photos have also offered glimpses of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and the Weasley family arriving at King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾.
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Image Courtesy: Reddit
John Lithgow on Playing Dumbledore
Lithgow's casting was confirmed earlier this year. He described accepting the role as a major decision, reflecting on the commitment required to adapt each of J.K. Rowling's seven books into individual seasons. The actor acknowledged the pressures of taking on such a defining role late in his career, but ultimately embraced the opportunity, calling it an enormous thrill.
While some fans have questioned an American actor portraying the quintessentially English wizard, John Lithgow has pointed to his prior performances as Winston Churchill in 'The Crown' and other British roles, emphasising his ability to capture the character authentically.
Joining John Lithgow as part of the Hogwarts staff are Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Paul Whitehouse as Filch, and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell. Warwick Davis will return as Professor Flitwick.
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Image Courtesy: People
Outside of Hogwarts, Katherine Parkinson will portray Molly Weasley, Bel Powley will take on Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby will play Vernon Dursley, Johnny Flynn will appear as Lucius Malfoy, and Lox Pratt will play Draco Malfoy. Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout join McLaughlin as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.
The highly anticipated 'Harry Potter' TV series is set to premiere on HBO in 2027, offering fans a faithful yet fresh adaptation of the beloved wizarding world, now with John Lithgow at the helm as the legendary headmaster.
