John Lithgow Hopes HARRY POTTER Fans Who Are "Appalled" With His Dumbledore Casting Can Suspend Disbelief For His Performance
Stage and screen actor John Lithgow is hoping to win over fans who are angry about his casting in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series, in which he will play Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts.
Many were surprised that he was chosen over a British actor, but as a fan of Lithgow for decades, I have faith that he was a great choice.
Lithgow hopes he is given the chance to prove himself, as he explained in a new interview with BBC’s The One Show. The two-time Academy Award-nominee admitted he’s “very excited” and “very intimidated” by the role from the J.K. Rowling book series, which was previously portrayed on-screen by Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law.
Lithgow explained, “I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV. I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine.
“But yes, I mean, it’s an enormous thrill. But I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard. But, I will do my best.”
In addition to Lithgow’s casting as Dumbledore in the upcoming Max series from writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner, the series will also star Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
via: Deadline