US EditionJohn Lithgow Defends Playing Dumbledore, Says He Finds J.K. Rowling’s Stance on Trans Rights ‘Ironic and Inexplicable’
John Lithgow supports his role as Dumbledore, citing the series' themes of kindness and acceptance despite J.K. Rowling's controversial views, signing an eight-year contract.
- On Sunday at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, John Lithgow discussed playing Albus Dumbledore while promoting Jimpa, Sophie Hyde's film co-starring Olivia Colman.
- Rowling's public statements have prompted calls for performers to disassociate from the Harry Potter franchise, while John Lithgow said he `takes the subject extremely seriously` and finds Rowling's views `ironic and somewhat inexplicable`.
- At the Jimpa screening on Sunday, Lithgow described signing an eight-year contract as `hard`, joking `I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years` after a protest left a critic disappointed.
64 Articles
64 Articles
Harry Potter TV series star John Lithgow reveals taking Dumbledore role was "hard decision"
John Lithgow has opened up about playing Albus Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, saying it was a “hard decision”.It was announced that the actor would be taking on the role of the Hogwarts headmaster in HBO’s adaptation of JK Rowling’s famous books back in October, with Lithgow receiving backlash from some fans due to Rowling’s views on transgender rights.Speaking at Rotterdam Film Festival, where his latest film Jimpa screen…
Harry Potter Actor John Lithgow Attacks J.K. Rowling Over Gender Views After Previously Dismissing the Controversy
When John Lithgow was asked in April 2025 whether J.K. Rowling and her views on gender politics gave him pause before accepting the role of Albus Dumbledore, his response was unequivocal. “Oh, heavens no,” Lithgow replied at the time, openly questioning why Rowling’s views should matter at all. “I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’” he added. At the time, John Lithgow dismissed the controversy outright. He noted he had not yet met Rowling a…
John Lithgow defends Harry Potter role despite JK Rowling's views
John Lithgow has given an update on where he stands when it comes to JK Rowling‘s trans views, describing them as “inexplicable”. Last year, the Shrek actor took on the role of Hogwarts’ Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, currently in production. At the time the 80-year-old actor stated the series, set to film over the next eight to 10 years, will “define” his career in the “last chapter” of his life. While at…
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