After facing backlash for joining HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series, John Lithgow is confronting the controversy head-on.
Lithgow is one of the leading actors in HBO’s Harry Potter cast as he plays the role of Albus Dumbledore that was performed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the movies. The controversy is due to J.K. Rowling’s transphobic statements and actions in recent years, leading to many fans criticizing Lithgow and the other actors who have signed onto the show. In April 2025, he addressed the Harry Potter casting backlash, revealing that “a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child” informed him of an open letter urging him to quit. He shared, “That was the canary in the coal mine,” but replied, “Oh, heavens no,” about whether he would leave the role.
Nearly a year later, Lithgow is still set to play Dumbledore, but he is taking a firmer stance on the Rowling controversy. Per Variety, while promoting his movie Jimpa at the Rotterdam Film Festival, Lithgow asserted that he takes the Harry Potter author’s transphobia “very seriously” and described her views as “ironic and inexplicable.” Read his comments below:
I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty. I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.
It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this. But in “Potter” canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.
It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.
Lithgow acknowledged that “I’m perfectly ready for collisions of opinion. I understand it.” He also joked about the long-term commitment to playing Dumbledore at the age of 80 years old: “I’m the oldest person in this entire room, just turned 80. And yet I signed a contract – I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years! I absolutely have to keep at it. I felt: ‘Wow! That means I will live to be 88.’ I have that in writing.”
His comments emphasize that he is now far more aware of why Rowling has become so controversial, and he does not support any of her stances on transgender issues. This has not deterred him from the role, though, as he still believes in bringing to life the values of the Harry Potter books, which he sees as antithetical to Rowling’s transphobia. As indicated by one audience member at the event for Jimpa, who walked out in protest and said, “Things like these don’t help,” some viewers still have a problem with Lithgow’s decision, regardless of his new remarks.
In addition to Lithgow, the cast of characters in the HBO series features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Warwick Davis is the only actor so far to be playing the same role from the movies, where he also portrayed Filius Flitwick. Paul Whitehouse will play Argus Filch after being cast as Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, although his scenes were cut from the finished film.
As for when Harry Potter season 1 will premiere, HBO executive Casey Bloys gave a release window of 2027. He estimates that it will be ready by early 2027, but says HBO is not yet ready to specify the exact release month.
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
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Mark Mylod
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Dominic McLaughlin
Harry Potter
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Janet McTeer
Minerva McGonagall
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