Mark Rylance passed on the Albus Dumbledore role in the HBO Harry Potter TV series because his wife tragically passed away last month.
In November 2024, Variety reported that Rylance was “at the top of the casting wishlist” to play Dumbledore in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series. HBO didn’t confirm the news at the time but rather said, “We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
While many assumed Rylance’s casting would be confirmed, it was announced on Wednesday, February 12, that John Lithgow is now being eyed for the Dumbledore role.
According to Jeff Sneider’s The Insneider, Rylance turned down the role because his wife, Claire van Kampen, passed away in January 2025.
“[This] led him to pass on the project so he could properly grieve,” Sneider wrote.
Rylance is known for starring in movies such as 2015’s Bridge of Spies, 2016’s The BFG, 2017’s Dunkirk, 2018’s Ready Player One, 2020’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, 2021’s Don’t Look Up, and 2022’s Bones and All.
Is John Lithgow playing Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter series?
Lithgow’s casting has also not yet been officially confirmed at this time. HBO repeated the same statement the company released when Rylance’s casting was reported on when asked for comment by Deadline.
No other casting for the Harry Potter series has yet been revealed. Specific plot details remain under wraps at this time, though the series is believed to be a “faithful” adaptation of the Harry Potter novels.
Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter films. Harris passed away in 2002, and Michael Gambon then played him in the six remaining movies. Jude Law, meanwhile, portrayed a younger Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts prequels.
A premiere date for the Harry Potter show has not yet been announced.
