John Lithgow gives heartbreaking response to playing Dumbledore as HBO confirms cast for new Harry Potter series

John Lithgow is set to be our new Dumbledore but apparently it was not an easy decision for the actor.

HBO officially confirmed the first six of the cast who will star in the new high-profile TV adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter franchise, including the stars who will bring back to life our favorite Hogwarts crew, from Hagrid and Snape to Dumbledore and McGonagall.

The show, which is expected to stretch for at least a decade, will be based on JK Rowling's novels, with each book making up one season.

HBO revealed Nick Frost will play Hagrid, taking over the role from the late Robbie Coltrane, while Janet McTeer will take on the late Maggie Smith's position as professor Minerva McGonagall.

The 79-year-old actor says he's 'excited' to take on the role (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Paul Whitehouse will play Hogwarts' caretaker, Argus Filch, Luke Thallon will star as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell, and Paapa Essiedu is stepping into the role of Professor Severus Snape.

Meanwhile, John Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the wizarding school, a role tentatively played by the late actors Michael Gambon and Richard Harris.

Jude Law also gave a stab at the role, playing a young Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts movies.

However, Lithgow announced his major casting last month, and apparently it came as a bit of a shock to the 79-year-old star.

Dumbledore was initially played by Richard Harris (Warner Bros.)

The New Yorker admitted to Screen Rant that the decision came with mixed emotions.

"Well, it came as a total surprise to me," he said. "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."

While he made the heartbreaking admission, he reassured readers and fans who can't wait for the new show that he's 'very excited.'

"Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter," he continued. "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."

New stars are set to take on the roles of the main three Hogwarts pals, Harry, Hermione and Ron, who were previously played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the film franchise, and are yet to be revealed.

Lithgow made the heartbreaking admission when he heard he got the part (Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

The series was confirmed in 2023 with the promise of a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling'.

And we don't have long to wait until it is expected to hit our TV screens soon, with Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO, David Zaslav, previously revealing in 2024 that the show's release will be as soon as 2026.

"We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life,” Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, said as per The Independent.

Dozens of fans have also celebrated the line-up, dubbing it a 'solid casting' that presents a 'whole new vibe' to the next generation of Harry Potter fans.