It might feel like fans have been waiting forever (and still have an age to go) for the next instalment of the Wizarding World.
But rumours and talks have helped fuel the anticipation as it continues to build up for the new Harry Potter series.
And while very little about the TV run has actually been confirmed so far, a Hollywood legend is said to be nearing a deal to be cast as Professor Albus Dumbledore.
Following in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Jude Law, and Michael Gambon, it seems John Lithgow will be next to play the Hogwarts head teacher.
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Known for a long, varying list of roles such as playing Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Arthur Mitchell in Dexter, and voicing Lord Farquaad in Shrek, he could next be the most powerful wizard.
The two-time Golden Globe winner is reportedly in final negotiations to play Dumbledore, sources have told Deadline.
When approached for comment on this pretty exciting news, HBO declined to comment but said in a statement to LADbible: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation.
“As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals.”
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And while we still don’t quite know for sure who will be in the series, we can be pretty safe in saying Daniel Radcliffe won’t be reprising his role as an 11-year-old Harry Potter.
The star hasn’t totally rejected the idea making an appearance himself, he hasn’t been particularly optimistic about the chances.
The TV run of the popular stories is apparently designed to span over a decade and comes from creator Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod.
When it was originally announced, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, Casey Bloys called it a ‘faithful adaptation’ of the novels which will ‘dive deep into each of the iconic books’.
Harry Potter TV series rumoured cast
Again, we still don’t really know who is going to play who in the series, but with Lithgow seeming pretty likely right now, there’s a list of stars rumoured to join him.
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Bad Sisters star and co-creator Sharon Horgan is rumoured to play Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, while Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein has been mentioned for Rubeus Hagrid. As for Harry Potter's evil aunt Petunia, Brit Pheobe Waller-Bridge may be filling those shoes.
Meanwhile, it’s also been doing the rounds that Paapa Essiedu could step into the role of Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming series. Sources confirmed this possibility with Variety, but it is said The Lazarus Project actor is yet to formally accept the role.
And we could even be seeing Cillian Murphy in the Wizarding World, with Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes saying he’d be ‘all in favour’ of him playing the villain.
Topics: HBO, Harry Potter, TV and Film, TV
Jess Battison