Two excellent actors played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies, but they weren't quite perfect. John Lithgow can bring the character balance.

The Emmy-winning actor, hot off a SAG Award for "Conclave," said playing the Hogwarts headmaster would "define me for the last chapter of my life."

Lithgow's casting breaks tradition of British actors in Harry Potter, sparking debate. HBO's American casting decision opens more opportunities for diverse talent in series. Auditions for lead trio ongoing, with Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Cillian Murphy as Voldemort rumored.

John Lithgow being cast as Dumbledore in the upcoming "Harry Potter" series is more significant than you might think

"It's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid."John Lithgow is heading to Hogwarts.The 3rd Rock From the Sun star confirmed recent rumors that he'll be playing Professor Albus Dumbledore on HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter TV series in an interview with Screenrant published Tuesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Following recent reports, actor John Lithgow now confirms that he will play Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV show.

John Lithgow confirmed in a new interview with ScreenRant that he will be playing Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s “Harry Potter” television series. Variety reported earlier this month that Lithgow was eyeing the role.

John Lithgow is off to Hogwarts. The actor, 79, is set to play Professor Albus Dumbledore on HBO’s new “Harry Potter” series. After Pop Base posted the news to X, one user wrote: “He is perfect for the role!

John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter series, raising skepticism about an American actor playing an iconic British character.

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.