Harry Potter series star John Lithgow responds to negative backlash for his casting 

The Harry Potter TV show on HBO is poised to be quite a cultural sensation, going by the magnanimity of its and the J.K. Rowling source material. Yet much before it's production and release, the Harry Potter TV show has time and again found itself mired in conspiracy. Veteran actor John Lithgow, who has been cast to portray the fan-favorite character of Dumbledore on the Harry Potter TV show was recently at the receiving end of flak that asked him to walk away from his role.

Lithgow, however, has mentioned that he was no desire to let go of a role that might just be his major dramatic outing. Here's everything that we know.

Harry Potter TV show: John Lithgow will portray Dumbledore despite criticism

It was confirmed earlier this year that John Lithgow will be joining the ranks of such famous actors as Richard Harris and Michale Gambon who preceeded him in the role. Lithgow has been at the receiving end of criticism that calls upon him to walk away from his casting and from the HBO show since it involves the active participation of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The transphobic remarks first made by Rowling in 2020 are at the centre of the pushback, leading many to denounce the upcoming show altogether.

Lithgow recently opened up to The Times of London, which was in turn reported by Variety magazine, about how he considered just his age before agreeing to the role. He said that since the character demanded his committment for an extended period of time, it was only natural for him to consider his motality before diving into the show.

"Of course, it was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play. It’s an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role."

Lithgow revealed that one of his good friends, who also happens to be the mother of a trans child, told him about an open letter penned by Book Riot's Danika Ellis asking him to quit the upcoming HBO show. The open letter mentioned:

"The HBO adaptation is one that JK Rowling is “very, very involved in,” according to HBO’s CEO, Casey Bloys. It is an attempt to revive a franchise that will amplify Rowling’s anti-trans message and put more money in her pocket—money that she uses to fund anti-trans causes."

Lithgow has come out strongly in favor of his decision to remain on the show, however:

"That was the canary in the coal mine. I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her."

Who is in the cast of the Harry Potter TV show?

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Apart from Lithgow's Dumbledore, several other prominent characters have been roped in to be a part of the upcoming show, including Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall. The casting for the three teenage characters of Harry, Hermione and Ron in underway. There isn't a potential release date for the show as of now.

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