Gary Oldman Reveals He Wanted to Play Dumbledore in the New Harry Potter Series

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Looking back at his role in the Harry Potter movies, Gary Oldman expressed a wish that he could have had the opportunity to portray Dumbledore in the forthcoming HBO series instead.

As a devoted cinephile, I recently found myself challenged by Variety to recall lines from some of my unforgettable on-screen performances throughout the years.

In 2004 during the release of The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter film, Oldman remarked that it was intriguing collaborating with Alfonso Cuarón. He believed that Cuarón’s work on the third movie, where Oldman first appeared, was truly outstanding.

When I initially encountered Daniel Radcliffe, he would have been approximately eleven years old. Everyone involved was simply wonderful – incredibly intelligent and gifted. It was truly an enjoyable experience. I feel honored to have been part of it.

In regards to the forthcoming series, Oldman commented: “Personally, I don’t believe they will delve into characters tied to the initial storyline. I’m genuinely curious to watch it as a lot of the source material was omitted.

I’d love to have tried playing the role of Dumbledore. Now that I’m older, I believe I’ve reached an appropriate age for such a character.

It has been revealed that John Lithgow is set to portray the esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore in the upcoming television show.

The U.S. actor has publicly shared his plans to adopt a British accent for the character, indicating that this extended role will significantly mark the final phase of his acting career.

When talking to Screen Rant regarding his role, Lithgow expressed: “The offer came as a complete shock to me. It was during the Sundance Film Festival when I received another film’s phone call. Deciding on it wasn’t simple because it will shape the final phase of my career, I fear. However, I’m extremely eager.

I’ve learned that the principal actors for the series have been formally declared. Notably, Katherine Parkinson, who is well-known for her roles in Rivals and The IT Crowd, has been announced to play Molly Weasley. This news follows the confirmation of Bertie Carvel, from The Crown, as Cornelius Fudge. Additionally, Johnny Flynn, known for his role in Ripley, will portray Lucius Malfoy. Lastly, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby have been cast as Harry’s aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, respectively.

In the upcoming series, Dominic McLaughlin takes on the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton portrays Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout steps into the shoes of Ron Weasley – all new faces to this magical world.

The announcement of the cast members for this show was made only last month. In a statement, Francesca Gardiner (showrunner and executive producer) and Mark Mylod (executive producer and director of several episodes) expressed their happiness saying: “Following an extensive search orchestrated by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are thrilled to reveal that we have discovered our Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

It’s a delight to see the exceptional skills of these three distinct actors, and we eagerly anticipate sharing their enchanting collaboration with audiences worldwide on the big screen.

We are grateful for the participation of so many talented children who tried out. It was truly enjoyable to see all the hidden gems of youthful ability.

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2025-06-18 15:04