The First Look at John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Confirms Major Changes to the Classic Harry Potter Story

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The original movie came out 25 years ago and had a huge impact on a whole generation. The main *Harry Potter* film series ended in 2011, and Warner Bros. tried to continue the story with the *Fantastic Beasts* movies, but they weren’t as successful. The franchise has also faced issues due to controversies surrounding Johnny Depp and Ezra Miller. More recently, J.K. Rowling’s public statements about transgender people have caused conflict with many dedicated fans.

After the unexpected end of the film series, Warner Bros. revealed plans to continue the story with a new TV series on HBO, which quickly became controversial. While some fans are upset about revisiting such a beloved story, the HBO series offers exciting possibilities, like including scenes and characters – such as Peeves – that were left out of the original films. As production continues, it’s becoming clear that this remake aims to provide a fresh experience for both book and movie fans, staying true to the source material while offering something new.

John Lithgow Is the Latest Acclaimed Actor To Play Dumbledore

As a huge fan, I’m really excited about the new *Harry Potter* series on HBO, but I think one of the biggest hurdles they face is living up to the incredible cast the movies had. Seriously, the films were packed with amazing British actors – Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman… the list goes on! The series is clearly aiming for that same level of quality, and I’m encouraged that they’ve already landed someone as talented as John Lithgow. I can’t wait to see who else joins the cast!

John Lithgow is the latest in a line of acclaimed actors to portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, following in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law, and Hugh Laurie, who recently voiced the character for an audiobook. Dumbledore was a central and vital figure throughout the entire *Harry Potter* series. While Lithgow is a highly skilled actor, his selection is notable because he is the first American to take on the role of the beloved wizard.

J.K. Rowling asked the filmmakers of the *Harry Potter* movies to hire British actors. However, the upcoming HBO series seems to have more freedom in casting. While John Lithgow isn’t British, he’s demonstrated his talent – he won an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in *The Crown*, proving he’s up to the task.

Taking on the role after the brilliant Michael Gambon is a huge honor. I was a lifelong fan of his work, and though we never met, I always looked up to him. It felt strangely fitting that we shared a birthday – almost magical, given the role! While I’m American, I’ve certainly played Englishmen before, as many may remember my portrayal of Winston Churchill in *The Crown*. It’s incredibly exciting, but I understand some people were surprised an American was chosen to play such an iconic English character. I’m committed to giving it my all.

The First Look at Dumbledore Features a New Scene

Production on the new *Harry Potter* series started in July, and it’s expected to debut on HBO in 2027. Though the premiere is still a few years away, HBO quickly gave fans a sneak peek. As filming officially began, they released the first images of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Nick Frost as the iconic Rubeus Hagrid.

The first *Harry Potter* movie, *Sorcerer’s Stone*, was unique because a lot of it was filmed in the non-magical world, meaning many behind-the-scenes photos were taken on public sets. We’ve seen glimpses of Harry, Hagrid, the Dursleys, and others, and while most of these photos haven’t revealed major surprises, the newest batch is different – it gives us our first look at John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore.

John Lithgow perfectly embodies Dumbledore, sporting the character’s iconic gray hair and beard. While staying true to Dumbledore’s classic look from other versions, the HBO series gives him a slightly different style – his robes are a darker shade compared to the brighter colors seen in the films.

HBO’s Harry Potter Series Might Finally Flesh Out a Key Part of the Story

The recently released photos not only offer fans their first look at John Lithgow as Dumbledore, but also hint at new story elements for the series. In the first *Harry Potter* film, Dumbledore only left Hogwarts once – to leave baby Harry with the Dursleys after Voldemort’s initial defeat. These new photos show Dumbledore on a beach in a scene that doesn’t appear in the books, leading to a lot of online discussion and theories about what it means.

Soon after, additional photos from the filming location were released, giving us a better look at the set. In the world of *Harry Potter*, Nicolas Flamel was the alchemist who created the Sorcerer’s Stone that Voldemort sought in the first book and film. While Flamel only appeared in the original *Harry Potter* series, he also made an appearance in *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*, portrayed by Brontis Jodorowsky.

As a huge Harry Potter fan, I’ve been following the news about the upcoming series, and while we’ve seen set photos, it’s still a mystery who will play Nicolas Flamel and his wife. But the photos *do* hint at something new! Some people think they show Dumbledore and Flamel talking about protecting the Sorcerer’s Stone, but to me, another scene makes more sense. Remember why Voldemort wanted the Stone in the first place? He was desperate to extend his life, and Flamel and his wife had already done that, living for over 600 years! It’s easy to forget that after Harry defeated Voldemort and they destroyed the Stone, Flamel and his wife finally accepted their mortality.

While the *Harry Potter* books are told mainly from Harry’s point of view, the new HBO show has the freedom to explore other characters. A scene showing Nicolas Flamel and his wife sharing a quiet, emotional moment before the Sorcerer’s Stone is destroyed would be powerful and would highlight the series’ ongoing theme of mortality.

As a huge fan, I always felt the story could benefit from showing Nicolas Flamel and his wife facing their own mortality. It would’ve been a beautiful echo of Harry’s eventual sacrifice in *Deathly Hallows*. Plus, bringing Flamel into the HBO series really emphasizes how important the Philosopher’s Stone is – it’s not just a plot device, but something with real weight. When the movies were made back in the early 2000s, the books were still being released, so the filmmakers couldn’t really hint at the ending. But now, the showrunners know the whole story, which means they can drop little clues and foreshadow key moments from the very beginning, and that’s incredibly exciting!

Recent photos from the upcoming HBO *Harry Potter* series have quickly reassured fans who doubted it would happen. The first *Harry Potter* films, directed by Chris Columbus, closely followed the books, which made adapting them easier. However, as the series went on, it became harder to include every detail from the increasingly long books.

The new HBO *Harry Potter* series has the potential to be truly special. Because it’s a TV show, it has more time to delve into the rich world J.K. Rowling created, expanding on details she’s shared since the books ended – things she originally revealed on the Pottermore website. Like the successful *The Last of Us* adaptation, this series can offer something new and exciting for dedicated fans. Even early glimpses suggest a fresh take on the beloved story. While it’s likely to be popular – it *is* retelling a classic – the show will need to address criticism from those who are skeptical. Fortunately, the creators seem to be aware of these concerns and are prepared to tackle them.

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2025-10-09 03:09