Jimpa star John Lithgow responds to Harry Potter controversy and argues franchise is about “winning out over cruelty, evil, intolerance”

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John Lithgow has played a wide range of characters throughout his career, from aliens and politicians to villains and religious figures. Now, he’s taking on the role of Professor Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, but first, he appears in the film Jimpa. The movie, which also stars Olivia Colman, tells the story of a mother navigating the challenges of raising a non-binary child who wants to live with their gay grandfather, Jim (played by Lithgow, nicknamed Jimpa). Jimpa is deeply personal for both director Sophie Hyde – it’s based on her own family – and Lithgow, connecting to his upcoming role in the Harry Potter series through the theme of family.

Jimpa shows family dynamics that we don’t always see on screen – was that part of the appeal?

I was primarily drawn to this project because of the director, Sophie Hyde, and her willingness to explore her personal life so thoroughly. I found her father, James Hyde, a really compelling figure – she clearly loved him, but also recognized how complex and challenging he could be. I’m always attracted to stories with those kinds of contrasting elements.

Jim and his granddaughter Frances have a sweet relationship, but they definitely see things differently because of their age gap. Have you experienced anything similar in your own family?

Relationships between fathers and daughters—and even fathers and grandchildren—are always a little complicated. But her story felt so real and personal, I was convinced it had to be based on truth.

Your character says it’s OK to disagree and say hurtful things sometimes – do you agree?

I definitely worry more than Jim does. I struggle with being direct, and I avoid being harsh even if I think it might be helpful. I generally prefer to just be nice. Honestly, I’m a people-pleaser – that’s actually a big reason why I became an actor!

Jim’s a busy man and won’t retire – can you relate to that?

Absolutely. I’ll still be working at my last curtain call.

Olivia Colman is also in the show. You played Winston Churchill alongside Claire Foy in The Crown. Did you ever talk with Olivia about what it was like working on the series?

It was a very brief experience. I was unexpectedly asked to film a scene with Olivia during the first season of her show, as they wanted to capture one last image of Churchill before his funeral. I joined at the last minute, worked for just one morning, and then enjoyed a wonderful evening with my wife, Olivia, and her husband, Ed. We all connected instantly. Working with Olivia is what acting is all about – we never needed to discuss adjustments to the scenes, timing, or pauses; it just flowed naturally.

There’s talk of The Crown creator Peter Morgan doing a prequel – would you return?

I was always happy to do whatever Peter asked of me, and being on The Crown was a real highlight. However, I suspect he wouldn’t cast me as Churchill again. I’m now the same age he was when I first played the role, and it would be strange to portray him as older in the show, then suddenly much younger!

You portrayed Roald Dahl in the play Giant, and it was a fantastic role. What did it feel like to win an Olivier Award for your performance?

Taking on the role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV series is a huge undertaking, as the show plans to cover all seven books. Did the length of that commitment give you any pause?

It’s a bit daunting to imagine doing this job for the rest of my life, but I’m reassured that my contract extends well into my eighties. It’s wonderful to have such a great role in a fantastic project as I get older.

Some people have raised concerns about the project due to comments made by JK Rowling. What’s your reaction to that criticism?

It’s curious how we haven’t even mentioned the sensitive topics we’re both thinking about, and I’m fine with leaving them unsaid. I feel strongly about these issues, which is why I created Jimpa. The Harry Potter series is fantastic, and at its core, it promotes values like tolerance, kindness, and acceptance triumphing over cruelty and prejudice. It’s a message geared towards young people, and I find the whole project very inspiring.

What have you thought about the controversy throughout the filming?

Honestly, working on the first season was amazing. All the drama surrounding it didn’t really bother us on set, though I know a lot of the cast were upset by it. I used to worry about how it all looked, but I’ve gotten over that. I truly believe in this project, and I hope my past work shows what I stand for.

Look, I get the whole Harry Potter debate, I really do, but it also strikes me as a bit odd. Honestly, I think my own understanding of this issue is why I was right for the role of Dumbledore. I’ve known transgender people who’ve gone through this incredibly brave process, and for some, it wasn’t just a decision, it was a matter of life or death. When you hear that, how can you possibly not stand with them?

Jimpa is available to buy/rent now. The Harry Potter TV series will be released in December

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed all kinds of films.

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2026-05-25 19:56