The cast for HBO's Harry Potter revival series is starting to take shape. The program has also discovered its Albus Dumbledore. According to Deadline, John Lithgow's negotiations to play the headmaster of Hogwarts are coming to a close. The seven books' plot will be retold in the series with a whole new cast.

Six-time Oscar winner John Lithgow "is in final negotiations to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's version" of Harry Potter. However, HBO declined to confirm or reject the news. "We understand that there would be a lot of rumours and speculation surrounding such a well-known series. We will only confirm specifics when we close transactions while we are in pre-production.”

Lithgow’s casting has already sparked excitement among fans, with many praising his ability to bring both warmth and gravitas to the beloved character. The role of Dumbledore was previously played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter films, followed by Michael Gambon after Harris’s passing.

The Harry Potter reboot, announced by Warner Bros. last year, aims to reimagine J.K. Rowling’s magical world in a long-form television format. The series, set to debut on Max (formerly HBO Max), promises a fresh take on the story with a new cast while staying faithful to the books.

Lithgow’s selection signals the show’s commitment to bringing esteemed actors into key roles. While other major castings, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione, are yet to be announced, anticipation continues to build for the new generation of Hogwarts adventures.

The Harry Potter reboot is expected to begin production later this year, with a planned release in 2026.