In the next Harry Potter television series, which is based on the same-titled J.K. Rowling novels, actor John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore. Many Harry Potter fans were unhappy that he was cast as Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter series, even though he received praise from critics for his parts in popular films and television series like Interstellar and The Crown. (Also Read | A look at John Lithgow’s films and television series, including his role as Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter)
It can be challenging for John to follow in the footsteps of the late actor Michael Gambon (Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies), but the Crown star reminded the fans that he may not be a “Englishman,” as he has portrayed Winston Churchill, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, in one of his shows.
John stated, as reported by Deadline, “I will be following the great Michael Gambon,” during an appearance on the BBC’s One Show. On BBC’s The One Show, he declared, “I am not an Englishman, but I have played one on TV.” “I would like to remind everyone that I thoroughly enjoyed my role as Winston Churchill on The Crown.”
He assured the fans that he would give his best for the role. “But yes, I mean, it’s an enormous thrill. But I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard. But, I will do my best,” added John as quoted by Deadline.
In March, the actor opened up about his character of Dumbledore and said that he doesn’t believe that it’s going to be a hard job for him, reported People.
“You know, Dumbledore is — he’s kind of the nuclear weapon. He only goes on very, very occasionally. And I think that — I don’t think it’s gonna be that hard a job, and, we’ll just go back and forth,” said John while talking to hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, reported People.
In addition to John’s casting as Dumbledore in the upcoming Max series from writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner, the actor was also joined by 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.
Richard Harris passed away in 2002 at the age of 72 after creating the character of Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. Later, it was taken up by Michael Gambon, an actor who became well-known for his part. In Goblet of Fire, Order of Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and The Deathly Hallows — Parts 1 and 2, he portrayed Dumbledore.
In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore, Jude Law portrayed a younger Hogwarts dean.