Actor John Lithgow previously revealed it was a ‘hard decision’ agreeing to feature on a new Harry Potter spin off but has now addressed the backlash surrounding it

John Lithgow has broken his silence after facing backlash over his upcoming role as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s brand new Harry Potter series. The US actor, who is best known for his roles in 3rd Rock From The Sun, Dexter, and The Crown, is one of the most recognisable names joining the reboot of JK Rowling’s iconic wizarding world.

But some fans weren’t too happy when they learned a non-British actor would be stepping into the shoes of the beloved Hogwarts headmaster. During an appearance on The One Show, John admitted that taking on the role has been a little daunting.

When the BBC presenter Alex Jones asked how he feels about playing Dumbledore, he responded: “Very excited, very intimidated. I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I am not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV. I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and I did just fine.”

John Lithgow has addressed backlash that he received for agreeing to play Dumbledore(Image: (Image: Variety via Getty Images))
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He went on to address the controversy, adding: “I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard, but I will do my best.”

The new Harry Potter series will follow all seven of the original books and is set to span an entire decade. A fresh cast will take on the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but the names of the actors have not been revealed yet.

According to HBO, around 32,000 children have auditioned for the lead roles following the casting call that was announced in September. This meant the team were responsible for reviewing up to 1,000 tapes per day.

The actor protested that he is capable of playing an iconic English character(Image: BBC/The One Show)

The streaming service has confirmed a number of big stars are on board, including I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape and Hot Fuzz star Nick Frost as the loveable half-giant Hagrid.

The series will stay true to the books while offering a more detailed retelling of the story, with showrunners calling the project “an authentic adaptation” for a new generation of fans.

Lithgow previously joked that the series might be his final major role, saying: “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.

“But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”

Production for the show will begin at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in summer 2025. This is where the Harry Potter films were shot. Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content Casey Bloys previously said the series is expected to run for ten consecutive years.