Harry Potter TV series star John Lithgow reveals taking Dumbledore role was “hard decision”

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John Lithgow has shared that deciding to take on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter TV show wasn’t easy.

Back in October, it was revealed the actor would play the headmaster of Hogwarts in HBO’s series based on JK Rowling’s popular books. However, some fans reacted negatively to the casting due to Rowling’s controversial statements regarding transgender rights.

I was at the Rotterdam Film Festival yesterday, catching a screening of Jimpa, and John Lithgow had some interesting things to say. He was asked about J.K. Rowling’s comments regarding transgender issues, and he made it clear he takes the topic very seriously. He acknowledged the incredible world Rowling built, especially for young audiences, and how deeply it’s become ingrained in our culture. It’s a complex situation, and his response felt thoughtful and measured.

He also said he considers Rowling’s opinions surprising and hard to understand, especially considering the Harry Potter series champions good over evil and kindness over cruelty.

He explained that he hadn’t met the woman and she wasn’t part of the project. However, he praised the people who were involved, calling them remarkable.

It bothers me when people object to my involvement, but the Harry Potter books themselves don’t show any consideration for transgender issues. The author created a story about compassion and understanding, and Dumbledore is a wonderful character.

He mentioned he thought about resigning because of pressure from others who wanted him to leave his position following J.K. Rowling’s statements about transgender rights.

He said it was a difficult choice. He felt uneasy and upset that others were pressuring him to resign, but he decided against it.

I’ve been a huge fan of J.K. Rowling for years, but I have to admit it’s been difficult to follow the controversy surrounding her views on transgender rights. Back in 2020, she published a really detailed essay explaining where she stood on the discussions around sex and gender, but it unfortunately drew a lot of criticism, especially from important LGBTQ+ organizations like Stonewall, who strongly disagreed with her points.

In 2024, J.K. Rowling expressed her opinions on social media, specifically on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she does not believe in the concept of transgender children and that a person’s gender isn’t determined at birth.

In May 2025, J.K. Rowling created the JK Rowling Women’s Fund. The fund provides financial support for legal battles aimed at protecting women’s rights as defined by biological sex.

The main actors from the Harry Potter films—Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson—have publicly disagreed with J.K. Rowling’s views and voiced their support for the transgender community. However, other cast members like Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, and Jim Broadbent have come to Rowling’s defense amid recent criticism.

The Harry Potter TV series will premiere in early 2027 on HBO.

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Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss writes about the newest happenings in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and has contributed to major publications like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.

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2026-02-02 21:06