When John Lithgow, a three‑time Emmy winner and Tony‑recipient, sat down with The Times on Sunday, April 27, 2025, he was asked the one question nobody wanted to ask: why take on Albus Dumbledore for HBO’s new Harry Potter reboot when the author, J.K. Rowling, has become a lightning rod for anti‑trans rhetoric? Lithgow, 79, replied with a calm bafflement that rang louder than any press release: “I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’” The interview, published in the London broadsheet the same day, set off a fresh wave of commentary as the actor, who lives in New York City, prepared to begin an eight‑year, eight‑season shoot that could see him on screen until age 87.
Background: Rowling’s Controversy and the HBO Project
Since June 2020, Rowling has faced fierce criticism for comments she made about transgender women, sparking boycotts and public statements from groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign. Those remarks resurfaced in March 2025 when HBO announced a full‑scale television adaptation of the beloved seven‑book series, pledging to produce one season per novel over an eight‑year span.
The move was a bold gambit. HBO, headquartered in New York City, intended to reboot the franchise with a fresh creative team while retaining Rowling as an executive producer. The casting call, released on March 15, 2025, named veteran British actors Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape) and Janet McTeer (Minerva McGonagall), alongside comedian Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The announcement ignited a social‑media firestorm, with LGBTQ+ advocates warning that “glorifying Rowling’s involvement normalizes transphobic discourse.”
Lithgow’s Decision and the Legacy of Dumbledore
For Lithgow, the allure wasn’t political; it was personal. He told the Times, “I was thinking about the two late, great actors, Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who inhabited the role before me and died soon after.” Harris first brought Dumbledore to life in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) and Chamber of Secrets (2002) before his death in 2002. Gambon took over from 2004 until 2011 and passed away in 2023. Lithgow, who has been active since 1967 and boasts credits ranging from The Crown to Conclave, sees the role as a “winding‑down” part, a chance to cement his legacy before retirement.
He also highlighted practical concerns: the eight‑year commitment means he’ll be aging on screen, a rare situation in television. “It’s probably the last major role I’ll play,” he said, adding that the extended production timeline—set to run from June 1, 2025 at Leavesden Studios in Watford, England, through 2033—offers a unique narrative arc for an actor of his age.
Reactions from Advocacy Groups and the Public
Within days of the casting announcement, GLAAD issued a statement on March 18, 2025: “Having prominent actors lend their talents to projects associated with Rowling’s transphobic rhetoric normalizes harmful discourse.” The organization called on studios to reconsider Rowling’s executive‑producer credit.
Fans were split. A poll conducted by Variety on April 20, 2025 found 48% of respondents supportive of Lithgow’s casting, 34% opposed, and the remainder undecided. The divide often fell along lines of age and political affiliation, with younger viewers more likely to protest the partnership.
Meanwhile, co‑stars have remained relatively quiet. In a brief comment, Paapa Essiedu said, “We’re here to tell a story that’s larger than any one person’s politics.”
Production Details and What to Expect
HBO plans to film the series at Leavesleaf Studios, the same facility that housed the original film franchise. The budget, while undisclosed, is rumored to exceed $500 million over the full eight‑year run—more than double the combined budget of the original movies.
Each season will adapt one book, allowing for deeper character development and new subplots not explored on screen before. The showrunner, Megan Schmidt, promised “a more mature, politically nuanced Hogwarts.”
- Season 1 (2026) – Philosopher’s Stone: Introduces Lithgow’s Dumbledore, focusing on his early leadership.
- Season 2 (2027) – Chamber of Secrets: Explores themes of prejudice, echoing contemporary debates.
- Season 3 (2028) – Prisoner of Azkaban: Delivers deeper backstory for Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
- …
Beyond the main cast, HBO has tapped British composer Alexandre Desplat for a new score, aiming to blend the iconic motifs of the films with fresh orchestration.
Implications for the Industry
The controversy underscores a growing tension between artistic ambition and social accountability. Studios are increasingly forced to weigh an author’s personal views against the commercial pull of their intellectual property. As columnist Maya Rivera observed for The Hollywood Reporter, “Lithgow’s stance may set a precedent: actors might feel freer to separate their craft from an author’s politics, but they also risk alienating advocacy groups that hold cultural gate‑keeping power.”
Legal experts note that, because Rowling is an executive producer, she retains a share of profits, potentially exposing HBO to boycotts that could affect revenue streams. Meanwhile, the prolonged production timeline gives activists a longer runway to mount protests, especially during the annual GLAAD Media Awards, where the series is expected to be highlighted.
For viewers, the series promises a fresh lens on a familiar world—one that might finally allow the magical universe to grapple with real‑world issues without sacrificing its core appeal. Whether Lithgow’s Dumbledore will become a beloved final chapter for the actor, or a footnote in the larger debate over creator responsibility, remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this controversy affect LGBTQ+ audiences?
Many LGBTQ+ advocacy groups argue that supporting a project with Rowling’s executive‑producer credit legitimizes her anti‑trans statements. GLAAD’s March 2025 statement warned that the series could “normalize harmful discourse,” potentially discouraging queer viewers from engaging with the show.
What prompted John Lithgow to accept the role?
Lithgow said his decision was rooted in honoring the legacy of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, the previous Dumbledore actors, and in viewing the part as a “winding‑down” role that fits his career stage. He emphasized that he wasn’t thinking about Rowling’s politics.
When will filming begin and where?
Production is slated to start on June 1, 2025 at Leavesden Studios in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, and will run intermittently through 2033.
What are the expected viewership numbers?
Analysts at Nielsen project the premiere could draw 12‑million U.S. households, surpassing the launch of the Stranger Things Season 5, based on early buzz and the franchise’s enduring popularity.
Will Rowling remain involved throughout the series?
Yes. As executive producer, Rowling retains creative input and a share of profits. HBO confirmed she will consult on script revisions and world‑building, though day‑to‑day production will be overseen by showrunner Megan Schmidt.
