John Lithgow Filmed as Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter Series, Including New Scenes Not in the Books

Fans of the Harry Potter series have gotten their first look at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation, scheduled for release in 2027. Lithgow was recently spotted on a beach in Cornwall in costume, sparking speculation about the scenes being filmed. The images suggest the show will include sequences not present in the original books, such as Dumbledore walking in the sea and reciting a Latin phrase, “Murus cadat, via pateat,” which translates to “Let the wall fall, let the way be clear.” The sequence may explore Dumbledore’s actions when he is temporarily away from Hogwarts in the first novel, or could depict a visit to Nicholas Flamel, a character largely absent from the original adaptations. The series is expected to expand each novel into a full season, providing room for new and unseen storylines. Alongside Lithgow, the cast includes Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paapa Essidu as Severus Snape, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. Warner Bros. is keeping production highly secretive, with codenames, disappearing text messages, and a mobile phone ban on set. This reveal highlights both Lithgow’s casting and the series’ intention to offer new perspectives on the Wizarding World.