John Lithgow is in final talks to play Professor Dumbledore in HBO’s TV adaptation of Harry Potter. The 3rd Rock From the Sun star would play the bearded headmaster of Hogwarts wizarding school whose Order of the Phoenix fights evil Lord Voldemort.

The premium cabler is in talks with John Lithgow to play Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. News of Lithgow’s potential involvement follows THR ‘s reporting that British actor Paapa Essiedu ( I May Destroy You) is in discussions to play Professor Severus Snape. HBO declined to comment.

Despite his major role in the first installment, Quirrell never returns after his death. There is speculation that the role of Quirrell may be too minor for an actor of Murphy's caliber, considering he won the Best Actor award for Oppenheimer in 2023.