John Lithgow, who is American, is nearing a deal to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" series reboot, according to a report in Deadline. When reached, HBO reps declined comment on the report.

All the news on HBO's streaming 'Harry Potter' TV series, including cast, release date, how to watch, development and whether J.K. Rowling will be involved.

John Lithgow is reportedly in talks to play Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" series adaptation.

If reports come to fruition, the six time Emmy-winner, 79, will be the fourth actor to play the old wise wizard after Michael Gambon, who put on the half-moon spectacles after original actor Richard Harris died following Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Jude Law played a young Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts spin off films.

Dumbledore was originally played by Richard Harris in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Sir Michael Gambon took over for the rest of the franchise after Harris's death.

THE celebrated actor, known for his diverse range of work from Interstellar to Shrek, has been revealed to be in contention to play Dumbledore. J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series first took

John Lithgow is in final negotiations to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's series adaptation of the hugely popular fantasy books.

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.

Lithgow is, undeniably, a much bigger name than Rylance, at least in his native U.S.. (Although it’s kind of weird that they’re looking to cast an American actor in the role of one of the iconic British wizards;

Nothing is official until HBO confirms it, but Deadline is reporting that John Lithgow is in talks to play Dumbledore in the network’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot series scheduled to debut some time next year.