Following the the 2x Oscar nominee’s casting as Albus Dumbledore, he admitted he’s “very excited” and “very intimidated” by the role from the J.K. Rowling book series, which was previously portrayed on-screen by Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law.

John Lithgow has said that he’s “very excited” to be joining the upcoming “Harry Potter” series as Albus Dumbledore, brushing off criticism that the role of the wizarding headteacher has been given to an American actor.

Lithgow confirmed his own casting in February and will join McTeer, Frost, Paapa Essiedu, Paul Whitehouse, and more in the franchise's first TV adaptation.