John Lithgow being cast as Dumbledore in the upcoming "Harry Potter" series is more significant than you might think

John Lithgow attends The Old Man" Season 1 NYC Tastemaker Event at ... [+] MOMA on June 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/) The first confirmed actor in the upcoming Harry Potter live-action TV series is John Lithgow who will be playing Hogwarts headmaster and wizard legend,

"It's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid. But I'm very excited," the veteran actor said of the iconic role.

HBO’s Harry Potter series casts John Lithgow as Dumbledore, and the actor responds to concerns that he’s an American undertaking the role.

"It's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid." John Lithgow is heading to Hogwarts. The 3rd Rock From the Sun star confirmed recent rumors that he'll be playing Professor Albus Dumbledore on HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter TV series in an interview with Screenrant published Tuesday.

John Lithgow has confirmed that he will portray the Hogwarts headmaster in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series, which will begin filming this summer. Lithgow, 79, said in an interview with ScreenRant that the invitation to play the beloved character came “as a total surprise.”

HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series has found its Professor Albus Dumbledore in actor John Lithgow — known for his previous roles in “Conclave,” “The Crown” and “Footloose.” Lithgow confirmed to Screenrant that he had committed to the role as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

John Lithgow confirmed in a new interview with ScreenRant that he will be playing Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s “Harry Potter” television series. Variety reported earlier this month that Lithgow was eyeing the role.

When asked about the offer to play Dumbledore, Lithgow described the decision as "not easy," recognizing it could define the final phase of his illustrious career.