John Lithgow Reacts To Backlash Over Dumbledore Casting In Harry Potter TV Series

April 19, 2025: Actor John Lithgow is set to take on the iconic role of Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter series based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels. Despite his extensive acting career and critical acclaim, particularly for roles in Interstellar and The Crown, his casting as the legendary wizard has sparked mixed reactions from Harry Potter fans.

Lithgow, who is no stranger to portraying notable historical figures—most notably Winston Churchill in The Crown—acknowledged the challenge of stepping into the shoes of the late Michael Gambon, who portrayed Dumbledore in the original Harry Potter films. During an appearance on BBC’s The One Show, Lithgow addressed the backlash, reminding fans that although he is not English, he has previously played a British prime minister and received praise for his performance.

“I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV,” Lithgow said. “I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine.”

Lithgow reassured fans that he was committed to doing his best with the role, despite the high expectations. “It’s an enormous thrill. But yes, 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,” he added.

In a previous interview, Lithgow shared that he doesn’t foresee the role being particularly difficult. “Dumbledore is kind of the nuclear weapon. He only goes on very, very occasionally. I don’t think it’s gonna be that hard a job,” he said, emphasizing his confidence in tackling the character.

Lithgow’s casting joins a stellar ensemble of actors for the upcoming Harry Potter Max series, which also includes 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.

The role of Dumbledore was originally portrayed by Richard Harris in the first two films of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. After Harris’s passing in 2002, Michael Gambon took over the role, becoming a fan favorite as Dumbledore in the subsequent films. Jude Law later portrayed a younger version of the character in the Fantastic Beasts series.

As the Harry Potter fandom eagerly awaits the new series, Lithgow’s portrayal of Dumbledore will certainly be under intense scrutiny. However, his extensive experience and previous success in portraying historical figures suggest that he might just pull off the magic.