Dumbledore actor defends why he took job after JK Rowling controversy

Jess Battison
2026-03-28T10:58:51.135Z
Entertainment

The Hollywood legend previously slammed the Harry Potter writer's views as 'ironic and inexplicable'

Since the cast started to be announced for the new Harry Potter series, the actors have faced increasing criticism.

That comes as they therefore associate themselves with the Wizarding World creator, JK Rowling.

The author has controversial views on gender and is regularly accused of being transphobic, leading many to claim they’re boycotting the new series.

And John Lithgow, who is taking on the beloved role of Dumbledore, previously slammed her views as ‘ironic and inexplicable’.

The Hollywood legend previously said he was ‘upset’ for being criticised for signing up to the new Harry Potter series and in a new interview, he defended doing so.

With the first trailer released earlier this week, it’s fair to say Potterheads are divided as some remain excited to see the new show while others pick apart its 'problems' and cannot see past Rowling’s views.

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Previously speaking at the Rotterdam Film Festival, Lithgow had said of the author: “I’ve never met her; she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.

“It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this.”

And in his new New Yorker chat, he claimed that by the time ‘the whole subject of Rowling’s imputed prejudice’ came up, he’d already agreed to star in the Harry Potter series.

“I was urged to walk away,” the 80-year-old added. “And I was not about to do that.”

Lithgow said when the job came up, there was ‘everything attractive’ about it, highlighting: “Job security into my late years.”

As for why he decided not to walk away, he said: “I just felt the reasons to do it were much, much stronger than the reasons to protest against what Rowling has done and said.

“I do disagree with much of it. Much of it, I think, has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has sort of doubled down on it to her own, at her own cost.”

Lithgow as Dumbledore. (HBO)

He added that he is ‘surprised’ and ‘disappointed’ by the way Rowling delivers her views and claimed that he has still not met her.

Elsewhere in the chat, Lithgow expressed his excitement to take on the role of Dumbledore.

“The great, big, large, project of doing another version of Harry Potter is basically retelling wonderful stories that Rowling created,” he explained.

“They are very stirring stories. I think there are reasons why they’ve resonated with young people, and young people who have grown up and are still obsessed with Harry Potter.”

The first edition of the series - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone - will be premiering in December this year.