Note: This post contains spoilers for the Harry Potter series.
The first look at John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore has been spotted on the set of the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, as filming takes place on a beach in Cornwall, England.


Below, you can see footage from the Harry Potter series filmed at Kynance Cove, featuring Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore alongside two older characters, possibly the Flamels.
In a recent interview, Lithgow opened up about the Harry Potter series reboot, saying, “The overall concept of this entire reboot of Harry Potter is that an entire season is devoted to a single novel.” He added, “You know, Dumbledore is — he’s kind of the nuclear weapon. He only goes on very, very occasionally. I don’t think it’s gonna be that hard a job, and we’ll just go back and forth.”
Lithgow said the role “came as a total surprise” and added, “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter.”
“That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”



Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, spoke about the project, saying, “This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.” He also assured fans it would be “a faithful adaptation.”
The show is written and showrun by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod serving as executive producer and directing multiple episodes. According to HBO, “The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, replete with the fantastic detail and beloved characters Harry Potter fans have cherished for over twenty-five years.”
The HBO series will adapt J.K. Rowling’s seven books season by season, following Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they face the challenges of wizarding life, battle Voldemort’s forces, uncover mysteries, and grow up together. The first season is expected to cover Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Harry Potter (HBO Series) – Full Cast List
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
- Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
- Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
- Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
- Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
- Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
- Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
- Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch
- Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
- Mickey McAnulty as Piers Polkiss
- Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
- Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
- Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
- Leigh Gill as Griphook
- Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas
- Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
- William Nash as Gregory Goyle
- Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout
- Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns
- Bríd Brennan as Madame Poppy Pomfrey
The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television in association with Brontë Film and TV, a production company headed by J.K. Rowling’s agent. Rowling, the author of the novels, is involved as an executive producer alongside Ruth Kenley-Letts, Brontë’s CEO, and David Heyman, the director and producer of the films.
Harry Potter is currently scheduled to premiere on HBO in early 2027. It is confirmed that Season 1 of the series will have 8 episodes.
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