Fans have gotten their first look at John Lithgow as the new Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming *Harry Potter* series, and his casting might fix a long-standing issue from the earlier films. Lithgow takes on the role previously held by Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law in the *Fantastic Beasts* movies. As the wise headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore will once again guide Harry Potter in the new series.
The first *Harry Potter* film, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*, begins in 1980 but is mostly set in 1991. The movie initially shows Dumbledore wearing traditional wizard robes. This sparked some confusion when Jude Law played a younger, more stylish Dumbledore in the *Fantastic Beasts* films, which are set only 38 years earlier in 1932. Fans have wondered how Dumbledore changed his look from suits to robes, and the new HBO *Harry Potter* series, starring John Lithgow, is now providing an answer to this question.
FIRST LOOK at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore in the HARRY POTTER TV series
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) October 8, 2025
How John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Changes The Original For The Better
I’m speechless. John Lithgow as Dumbledore is already perfect.
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) October 8, 2025
John Lithgow’s portrayal of Dumbledore features a stylish update to the character’s usual look. Instead of the traditional heavy robes, he’s sporting a sophisticated deep blue trench coat over a classic suit—shirt, trousers, and waistcoat included. While he still has the long white beard familiar from previous Dumbledore actors, Lithgow’s version appears much more concerned with fashion. This makes him feel like a natural progression from Jude Law’s younger Dumbledore. The patterned clothing, with its blues and reds, marks a noticeable departure in style from the *Harry Potter* films in this new HBO series.
The upcoming *Harry Potter* TV series is already facing criticism, largely due to the author J.K. Rowling’s controversial opinions. Recently, photos from the set have sparked further debate, with some viewers wondering why the series is being made if it’s simply recreating the look of the original movies. Costumes and character designs – like the Hogwarts uniforms and Nick Frost’s portrayal of Hagrid – appear to be directly copied from the films. However, the depiction of Dumbledore, played by John Lithgow, seems to be a significant departure from the previous version.
We haven’t seen Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, or even had the casting announcement for Voldemort yet. It’s still unclear how well the new *Harry Potter* series will do, but the first season of eight episodes is planned for HBO in 2027, and the show is expected to cover a ten-year period. The recent photos of Dumbledore have made us even more excited, and we’re eager to see John Lithgow’s performance.
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2025-10-09 14:10