John Lithgow arrives at the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Lithgow was announced to take on the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” television series.

Is John Lithgow playing the new Dumbledore? Here's what he said in an interview and why people are speculating.

When asked about the offer to play Dumbledore, Lithgow described the decision as "not easy," recognizing it could define the final phase of his illustrious career.

John Lithgow is opening up about about joining HBO's Harry Potter series where he will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore.

HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series has found its Professor Albus Dumbledore in actor John Lithgow — known for his previous roles in “Conclave,” “The Crown” and “Footloose.” Lithgow confirmed to Screenrant that he had committed to the role as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

HBO has officially found its new Dumbledore for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. For those who need a refresher, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (yes, that’s his full name) is the wise and beloved headmaster of Hogwarts.

John Lithgow has played everything from Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha to an extraterrestrial patriarch in 3rd Rock from the Sun. Next he will be the powerful, wise, and compassionate professor Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter TV show. He confirmed the casting in a recent interview, saying it will “define me for the last chapter of my life.”

One thing about John Lithgow that is undeniable is that he is very much not English. Nevertheless, he's been picked to play the very, very English icon Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" series.