John Lithgow spotted in Dumbledore costume on ‘Harry Potter’ set in Cornwall

The Harry Potter reboot from HBO has officially given fans their first glimpse of John Lithgow stepping into the role of Albus Dumbledore, and the reaction has been nothing short of magical. Photographed on a windswept Cornwall beach, the 79-year-old Oscar nominee was seen in full costume, complete with flowing blue wizard robes and an impressive white beard.

Lithgow, best known for his wide-ranging career in film and television, follows in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, both of whom left indelible marks on the iconic Hogwarts headmaster. In the exclusive set images, he was spotted rehearsing lines from large cue cards held by crew members, as curious locals looked on from the cliffs above the filming location.

The scene being shot featured Latin incantations not found in J.K. Rowling’s original books, with one phrase roughly translating to “let the wall fall and the way be clear.” Fans have speculated that this sequence shows Dumbledore parting the sea to allow Hagrid access to the Hut-on-the-Rock, a creative liberty not present in the source material.

Reactions online have been overwhelmingly positive. On Reddit, one fan wrote that Lithgow “looks so good” and that this version of Dumbledore feels “majestic.” Another added that the character design seems much closer to the “book-ish aesthetic,” with the reboot aiming for visuals that resemble the original Harry Potter illustrations. Social media users echoed the sentiment, with one X post declaring Lithgow as “already perfect” in the role.

Not all reactions were glowing, with some amused by the sight of Dumbledore in trousers. But for the most part, audiences appear thrilled to see the veteran actor bringing new energy to one of fantasy’s most beloved characters.

Lithgow joins a star-studded cast that includes Warwick Davis, Nick Frost, and Paapa Essiedu, alongside newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout as the new Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The Harry Potter reboot is expected to premiere in early 2027, and if these first images are any indication, fans are in for a spellbinding ride.