John Lithgow Contemplates Quitting HBO’s Harry Potter Series

Actor John Lithgow is reportedly weighing the possibility of stepping away from his role in HBO’s upcoming series inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. This contemplation comes amid backlash regarding Rowling’s views on transgender issues.

Rowling has been a contentious figure among transgender activists due to her vocal opposition to what she terms “transgender ideology” and her support for women-only spaces. The new HBO series, set to debut this year, has Lithgow acknowledging that he has “never met Rowling and does not agree with her views” on transgender matters.

In the series, Lithgow is set to portray Albus Dumbledore, the famed headmaster of Hogwarts. He mentioned that the storyline “clearly takes the side of the angels against intolerance and bigotry.” Interestingly, Lithgow’s interest in queer culture has been noted, with non-binary actor Ord Mason Hyde expressing discomfort over Lithgow’s choice to participate in the project. Hyde found it “disconcerting” and “vaguely hurtful.”

The New York Times outlined Lithgow’s initial consideration to leave the series but ultimately decided not to. He accepted the reality that his involvement would be a topic of discussion for years to come. “Every time I do an interview for the rest of my life, this is going to come up,” he stated.

In an earlier interview, Lithgow shared that he had been taken aback by the criticism stemming from his decision to join the show, admitting he hadn’t fully considered Rowling’s political stances when signing on.

Reflecting on the substantial commitment this role entails—it’s an eight-year project—Lithgow described it as a “big decision.” He acknowledged the weight of it all, saying, “all I was thinking about was death, and I thought this was a really good break-in role.” He also mentioned he takes critique “very seriously” and hinted at the irony of Rowling’s views in relation to the inclusive themes of her own work.

“People of all ages love Harry Potter and the Harry Potter stories,” he added, emphasizing the themes of acceptance, the battle between good and evil, and kindness versus cruelty woven throughout the narratives.

Looking ahead, Lithgow expressed confusion over Rowling’s rhetoric, noting he had read about her opinions but never interacted with her personally. “She had no involvement in this work at all,” he remarked, praising the creative team behind the adaptation. Lithgow stated he found “no trace of transphobic sensibilities” in the story and felt disheartened by the backlash regarding his role.

Historically, Lithgow has leaned towards liberal views and previously starred in a play regarding the investigation into former President Trump’s alleged collusion with Russia.