In early October 2025, images surfaced of John Lithgow in costume as Albus Dumbledore on the set of HBO’s Harry Potter television adaptation. Those first set photos show him in full regalia: a long white beard, half‑moon spectacles, and flowing robes in a palette leaning toward blues.
One of the more discussed images places him on a windswept beach, which observers noted does not correspond with any scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
I’m speechless. John Lithgow as Dumbledore is already perfect. pic.twitter.com/aAl5LawR6g
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) October 8, 2025
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Early coverage reports that filming had begun months earlier in England, with the set photos appearing roughly three months into production. Lithgow’s casting as Dumbledore was confirmed publicly in February 2025.
In an interview around the time of his casting announcement, Lithgow remarked that accepting the role was difficult because “it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life.” He also noted that by the time filming wraps, he expects he will be about 87 years old. The decision to cast an American actor in that role drew commentary, given the strong associations of Dumbledore as a British institution in the Harry Potter universe.
FIRST LOOK at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore in the HARRY POTTER TV series pic.twitter.com/1HuxpNfq93
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) October 8, 2025
These images inaugurate a visual re‑entry for Dumbledore within this adaptation and invite direct comparison with previous film portrayals by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.
Casting Controversies: Snape and Female Voldemort Speculation
One of the more notable casting decisions is that Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape. That recasts a role made famous by Alan Rickman in the original film series. Essiedu’s casting has elicited both support and criticism. Some commentators welcome the diversity and fresh perspective. Others argue that Snape’s morally ambiguous character is tightly connected to his original physical description. Thus any departure risks undermining established expectations.
Paapa Essiedu performing in Royal Shakespeare’s Hamlet – YouTube, LOWRY
Criticism has included complaints about what some fans call “race‑bending” the role, or altering canonical traits for representation. Meanwhile, other voices defend the decision, pointing to acting merit and potential re‑interpretation.
After Essiedu added his name in an open letter to the U.K. Supreme Court addressing hot-button gender politics issues, fans began to wonder if J.K.Rowling would pull him from the casting line. She addressed these rumors writing, “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did. I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine.”
Voldemort Dies in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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Rumors also continue to circulate that Voldemort may be cast as female. Daniel Richtman, an entertainment blogger with an imperfect track record for leaks, reported, “For the Harry Potter show, they’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort, so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the series.”
Fans have already responded to the potential gender-swapped antagonist with mixed reactions, with many saying the idea would destroy the new adaption.
Observations and Outlook
These first images of Lithgow as Dumbledore establish the series’ visual direction: traditional costume cues (beard, robes, spectacles) combined with staging choices (e.g. the beach scene) that may depart from the novels. Lithgow’s casting was known in advance and already under scrutiny.
As more filming and official promotion unfolds, observers will likely dissect how much the adaptation hews to the book texts versus how much it reimagines them in new aesthetic or narrative forms.
Are you looking forward to HBO’s reimagining of the Harry Potter series? Let us know in the comments below!
