HBO is accelerating its ambitious project to bring the magical world of Harry Potter to television, and it appears they've made a significant casting decision. John Lithgow, a seasoned actor known for his versatile roles, has reportedly been cast as the iconic Professor Dumbledore. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow shared his surprise and excitement about taking on this role, which he believes will define the "last chapter" of his career.

"I was completely taken aback when I received the call at the Sundance Film Festival," Lithgow remarked. "It wasn't an easy decision because it's going to shape the final phase of my professional life. But I'm thrilled to be part of this project, especially with such a talented team revisiting the Harry Potter universe. I'll be around 87 by the time we wrap, but I've committed to it."

While this marks the first casting announcement for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, it's important to note that HBO and Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm Lithgow's involvement. The series aims to adapt all of J.K. Rowling's beloved books, introducing a fresh cast to portray beloved characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the entire Hogwarts community. Rowling herself will serve as an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Despite Lithgow's verbal confirmation, the absence of a complete cast suggests that the show is still in the early stages of production. Lithgow, celebrated for his Emmy-winning performance as Winston Churchill in Netflix's The Crown and his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, brings a wealth of experience to the project.

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