HBO Reveals New Details on Harry Potter TV Series Amid Dumbledore Casting Rumors

HBO has responded to speculation regarding the casting process for its highly anticipated Harry Potter television adaptation, set to premiere in 2026. Recent rumors suggested that John Lithgow—known for his roles in Dexter, Interstellar, and Conclave—was in final negotiations to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore.

In a statement released on February 12 to Deadline, HBO acknowledged the buzz surrounding the project. “Given the high-profile nature of this series, we understand that rumors and speculation are inevitable. However, as we continue through pre-production, we will only confirm casting details once contracts are finalized,” the network stated..

While HBO has not officially confirmed who will step into the role of Dumbledore—previously portrayed by the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the original film series—the studio has revealed other key details about the decade-long project.

The series is helmed by Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on His Dark Materials and The Rook, who will serve as the showrunner. Meanwhile, The Menu director Mark Mylod has signed on as both director and executive producer.

Fans of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books will be pleased to know that HBO intends to stay true to the source material. In a 2023 press release, the network confirmed that the adaptation will be a “faithful retelling” of the iconic novels.

As for whether original cast members such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, or Ralph Fiennes will make appearances, Radcliffe has downplayed the possibility.

That said, the 35-year-old actor didn’t entirely rule out the idea of returning to the wizarding world. When asked how he would respond if HBO approached him for a role, he remained diplomatic.

“I’m going to take the political route here and avoid dealing in hypotheticals,” he joked.