- Lithgow succeeds Richard Harris and Michael Gambon as Dumbledore
- The show’s cast is more varied in terms of nationality
- He’s played plenty of British characters before
The new Harry Potter TV series departs from the films in an a slightly unexpected way. JK Rowling stipulated when the films were in production that all cast members be British (or Irish), but for the TV remake, things are looking different.
Given that HBO is helming the series, we maybe couldn’t expect Rowling’s previous rule to stick. That said, we know from the casting call for the main trio of characters that the children at least will be British.
As such, some people raised eyebrows when the American actor John Lithgow was confirmed to be playing Dumbledore.
Read more: John Lithgow confirmed for Harry Potter TV show
“I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine”
Lithgow addressed this in a recent interview, revealing he was “very excited” and “very intimidated” to take the role on. He also pointed out that fans’ minds can be put at rest given he’s played British characters before. The example he used was his role in The Crown, but he also spoke in a British accent to play Lord Farquaad in Shrek.
“I will be following the great Michael Gambon. I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV,” he said on BBC’s The One Show. “I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine.”
Lithgow added, “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.”
Who else is in the cast?
The first few names were announced earlier this week. Other key players include Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost as Hogwarts groundkeeper Rubeus Hagrid. Tumbleweeds’ Janet McTeer will also star as Gryffindor house head Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu, meanwhile, will pay Severus Snape.
Read more: Harry Potter TV show: Lucius Malfoy star shares dream casting
Other newcomers to the show include The Fast Show comedian Paul Whitehouse. He’ll play Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch. Meanwhile, Patriots actor Luke Thallon is Professor Quirinus Quirrell, someone key to the plot of Rowling’s first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
We don’t yet know who will pay Harry, Hermione and Ron, but there were reportedly over 30,000 applications.
Has there been any backlash?
There’s been controversy from the get go given JK Rowling’s controversial anti-trans views, some believing that any adult actors attached to the project is complicit in endorsing it. Rowling will be involved in developing the project.
Read more: Nick Frost turns off comments over Harry Potter backlash
After confirmation of the casting, Frost had to turn the comments off on his post celebrating the announcement. This was because he was questioned by fans wondering why he’d want to commit to a project with Rowling at the helm.
