“Why Is This A Factor At All?”: John Lithgow Addresses Backlash To His Harry Potter Casting After Receiving An Open Letter Asking Him To Quit The Show

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John Lithgow has responded to criticism following his casting in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO, which came after an open letter was sent asking him to step down from the project. In a recent announcement, Lithgow was unveiled as the newest addition to the cast of the Harry Potter TV adaptation, taking on the role of Dumbledore, previously played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Joining him are Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, all of whom will play significant roles throughout their time on the show.

Speaking with The Times of London (as reported by Variety), Lithgow shared his experience facing opposition for playing Dumbledore in Harry Potter due to J.K. Rowling’s contentious views on the transgender community. He mentioned that he initially focused only on whether he could commit enough time to the role, without taking other factors into account.

Indeed, it was a significant choice as it’s likely to be one of my final substantial roles. Given its eight-year duration, I found myself pondering the passage of time and considering this part as a suitable closing act in my career.

Nevertheless, when a close friend who happens to be the mother of a transgender child pointed him towards an open letter penned by Dankie Ellis of Book Riot asking him to step down from the show, he weighed Rowling’s previous statements thoughtfully. Despite this, he chose to continue in his role as Dumbledore, his decision remaining unaltered regardless of criticisms regarding his casting. You can read more of what Lithgow expressed on the matter below.

That was the canary in the coal mine.

I pondered, ‘What makes this relevant in the first place?’ I’m intrigued about how J.K. Rowling has embraced this concept. At some stage, I’ll likely cross paths with her, and I can’t wait to engage in a conversation with her.

[When asked if the backlash changed his mind on the role] Oh, heavens no.

What Lithgow’s Statement Says About His Harry Potter Casting

He’s Not Walking Away From Dumbledore

J.K. Rowling first expressed her anti-transgender views publicly in the year 2020, and since then, she has made several contentious statements. This has caused many of the original cast members from the Harry Potter series to speak out against her views, showing solidarity with those affected by her words, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Despite these transphobic remarks, Rowling’s comments have not diminished the success of the franchise. For instance, in 2023, the video game Hogwarts Legacy became that year’s best-selling title with sales of 22 million copies (it has since surpassed 30 million).

As a cinema enthusiast, I find myself in agreement with Lithgow’s stance. It appears that his choice to continue on the show isn’t influenced by Rowling’s past remarks about transgender issues, but rather the allure of portraying Dumbledore as his final significant acting role. Despite numerous actors from the Harry Potter films publicly opposing her comments, they haven’t dissuaded anyone associated with the series from moving forward. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that Rowling’s opinions, which have fueled anti-trans sentiments for years, still exist.

More to come…

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2025-04-28 15:30