NEED TO KNOW
John Lithgow has officially stepped into the shoes of Hogwarts’ beloved headmaster.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the 79-year-old actor was seen for the first time on the set of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series as Professor Albus Dumbledore. In the photo, Lithgow has a long, wispy white beard that seems to reach as far as his waist, and was wearing oversized robes as he stood on a sandy beach.
The actor’s hair was white to match the beard and he also wore a pair of small glasses resting on his nose — a look typical of the character from the movies.
It’s the first time Lithgow has been seen on set of the HBO series, which began production in July, and has been filming around England for the last three months.
Dean / Click News / SplashNews.com
Fans have gotten a few tastes of what’s to come thanks to other photos snapped on set, including some shots of Dominic McLaughlin, who will play the titular wizard, and Nick Frost, who will play Rubeus Hagrid, in London.
Photos also captured a look at the Weasley family arriving at King’s Cross station to board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 ¾.
Lithgow’s casting was revealed earlier this year, as he told ScreenRant that accepting the role was “not an easy decision, because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life.”
The time commitment of the series, which will adapt each of J.K. Rowling’s seven books into individual seasons, was what made it “such a hard decision,” he said. “But I’ve said yes.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Murray Close/Warner Bros
The Conclave star has also been open about the criticisms of his casting, as he said on BBC’s The One Show, “I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard. But I will do my best.”
“I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV. I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine,” he said, calling the role an “enormous thrill,” albeit one he’s “very intimidated” by.
Rounding out the Hogwarts staff alongside Lithgow are Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Paul Whitehouse as Filch and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell. Warwick Davis is also returning to play Professor Flitwick, who he played in the movies.
Outside Hogwarts’ orbit, Katherine Parkinson will play Molly Weasley, Bel Powley will play Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby will play Vernon Dursley, Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy and Lox Pratt will play Draco.
Joining McLaughlin will be Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Harry Potter series is slated for a 2027 premiere on HBO.
