John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
Veteran actor John Lithgow will star as Hogwarts headmaster Professor Dumbledore in the HBO series. His extensive list of credits includes Conclave, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and The Crown. Lithgow also boasts an impressive list of awards, including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Tony Awards, and two Academy Award nominations.
“It was not an easy decision,” Lithgow told ScreenRant while confirming his casting in February 2025, “because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited… I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Dumbledore was previously played by the late Richard Harris and then by Michael Gambon.