After we recently received initial information about the casting information for the roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron in the upcoming Harry Potter series, there is now an exciting update dedicated to the Hogwarts teaching staff. Apparently there is a favorite for the role of headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Mark Rylance is set to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series
Mark Rylance is at the top of Warner Bros. Television’s casting wish list, industry magazine Variety has learned from its sources. The studio is said not to have entered into negotiations with the British actor yet. Initial discussions have taken place regarding its availability.
Rylance has made numerous appearances in film and television. He has also gained plenty of experience as an actor on stage. In 2016 he received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the Steven Spielberg-directed thriller Bridge of Spies.
Directed by Spielberg, Rylance was also seen in the Roald Dahl film adaptation BFG – Big Friendly Giant and Ready Player One. In the dreamy fairytale film he embodies the titular giant. In the sci-fi blockbuster he played the creator of a virtual world, who is not all that dissimilar to a Dumbledore character.
Casting rumor: Mark Rylance would be the fourth Dumbledore actor in the Harry Potter universe
Dumbledore is one of the most famous Harry Potter characters and appears in almost all films from the fantasy universe. Three different actors So far, Richard Harris (Harry Potter 1-2), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter 3-8) and Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts 2-3) have brought him to life on the big screen.
If Rylance is actually cast in the Harry Potter series, he would be the first big-name actor on the call sheet. However, the Variety report has not yet been officially confirmed. Nevertheless, we can assume that more and more casting reports and rumors about the series will arrive in the next few weeks.
The new film is scheduled to start on the US broadcaster HBO in 2026. The creative mind behind the project is Francesca Gardiner (Succession), who works closely with director Mark Mylod (Game of Thrones) as showrunner. The plan for the ambitious project is to film the seven Harry Potter books in seven seasons.