Fans have taken to social media to express their displeasure at reports that actor John Lithgow is in talks to play Professor Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show.
The Emmy Award winning actor, known for his performances as Winston Churchill in The Crown and Arthur Mitchell in Dexter, was reported by Deadline to be in discussions for the HBO series, which will adapt each book into separate seasons and run for 10 years.
In the film series, which ran from 2001 to 2011, Richard Harris played Hogwarts headmaster Professor Dumbledore, with Michael Gambon taking over for the third to eighth films after Harris’ death in 2002. Jude Law played a younger version of the character in the Fantastic Beasts films.
While Lithgow is a beloved actor, many were not keen on him for the role. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote: “If you need another reason, to think the #HarryPotter Reboot is a dumb idea…”, before saying the actor “makes my skin crawl”.
If you need another reason, to think the #HarryPotter Reboot is a dumb idea…
(Just a cash grab. #DavidZaslav has Ø new ideas—so: Recycling an old one.)
Here ya go ! #JohnLithgow as Dumbledore.
(Makes my skin crawl. That guy has one mode: Annoying.)https://t.co/wbdRCLSJPe
— Joey Jojo Junior Shabadoo (@joexhunt) February 13, 2025
Another wrote: “Oh Warner Bros quite literally need to pull something out of their hat to save Harry Potter. John Lithgow as Dumbledore certainly feels like is going to put a lot of people off wanting to watch it. Whatever happened to keeping it all British!” This refers to the original films’ policy of only using British and Irish actors for featured roles.
Oh WarnerBros quite literally need to pull something out of their hat to save Harry Potter. John Lithgow as Dumbledore certainly feels like is going to put a lot of people off wanting to watch it. Whatever happened to keeping it all British! pic.twitter.com/0Srb4Fe4pg
— Steve81uk (@SJE1981) February 13, 2025
Another echoed that sentiment: “John Lithgow (79), good actor that he is, is American. Dumbledore is from the UK. I think a slightly younger actor from the UK should play Dumbledore. There has to be someone over there who has the gravitas to portray him”.
John Lithgow (79), good actor that he is, is American. Dumbledore is from the UK. I think a slightly younger actor from the UK should play Dumbledore. There has to be someone over there who has the gravitas to portray him.#HarryPotter #Dumbledore #johnlithgow https://t.co/vtphpvZcu1
— Leslie Tarkin✝️ (@LeslieATarkin) February 13, 2025
Other praised the actor but didn’t think he would be write for the part. A fan wrote: “I love John Lithgow but I just don’t see him as Dumbledore at all… very weird casting”.
Another concurred: “Fantastic actor but I think I’d have a hard time NOT seeing John Lithgow in the role and not just Dumbledore”. A reply quipped: “I would just see Farquaad”, referencing Lithgow’s character Lord Farquaad from Shrek.
I love John Lithgow but I just don’t see him as Dumbledore at all… very weird casting.
— TV Tweets 🇵🇸🍉 (@TVTweets2026) February 12, 2025
I would just see farquaad
— Tyler Hansen (@THMB69) February 12, 2025
A post also brought up Lithgow’s age as a factor. Lithgow turns 80 this October, older than any actor to have played the role. “My only concern with John Lithgow as Dumbledore is age” the post wrote. “If the show runs 10 years as intended, he’s pushing 90”.
My only concern with John Lithgow as Dumbledore is age.
If the show runs 10 years as intended, he’s pushing 90. https://t.co/JqVVXTD6Gg
— Dave Martinson (@Martinswagr) February 13, 2025
The show is scheduled for a 2026 air date, with many different actors rumoured to be connected to the part. Oscar winner Cillian Murphy was backed for the role of Voldemort by Ralph Fiennes, who played the character in the films.
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