John Lithgow as Dumbledore: first on-set photos and what’s next

TL;DR:

First on-set photos show Lithgow as Dumbledore on a windswept beach.
Filming is underway in the U.K., with a long lead to release.
HBO plans a faithful, book-by-book TV adaptation.
Lithgow confirmed the role earlier this year after reports in February.
He also won a 2025 Olivier Award for Giant, keeping his year busy.

Fresh set photos on October 8, 2025 show John Lithgow in full robes and long white beard as Albus Dumbledore for HBO’s Harry Potter series. The images capture him on a beach, apparently in the middle of a scene. Several outlets ran the first-look shots within hours of each other, confirming the character design and sparking fan debate about the location and context.

Where and when the show stands

Production is ongoing in the U.K., with location work reported along the English coast while soundstage filming continues at Leavesden. Today’s photos align with recent coverage that filming is active and the studio is building toward a long runway before launch. HBO and partners have signaled a release window in the second half of the decade, with previous trade and magazine reporting pointing to a 2026–2027 debut window.

How the first-look fits the story

The beach setting is not a direct lift from the first book. That gap led fans to speculate that the sequence could be a prologue, a dream image, or an original bridge between book scenes. Early reporting emphasized that, while the series will be faithful, it is still a new screen adaptation with room for new connective tissue. Today’s images support that idea and suggest the showrunners are building moments that keep the pace while honoring the books’ tone.

The casting timeline in brief

Trade outlets first reported in February 2025 that Lithgow was nearing a deal for Dumbledore. He later acknowledged he had said “yes” to the role, ending months of speculation. Today’s photos mark the first clear, public look at him in costume on set.

What the photos reveal

The beard, hair, and layered robes stick close to the established visual language while avoiding a one-to-one copy of the films. The palette leans into muted purples and silvers that read as “wizardly” without repeating prior designs. The silhouette communicates age and authority, which suits Lithgow, 79, as of October 8, 2025. The staging on a gusty shoreline hints at a scene with elemental stakes, or at least a reflective Dumbledore moment between events at Hogwarts.

How this affects fans

For viewers, this is the first chance to test their reaction to a beloved character’s new interpretation. The beach sequence also signals that the production is not shy about adding small, character-forward beats that the books only imply. That should make room for stronger season arcs, especially if each season adapts a single book with eight or so episodes.

The year of John Lithgow

Lithgow’s 2025 has been unusually visible. In April, he won Best Actor at the Olivier Awards for Giant, a drama that tackles Roald Dahl’s legacy head-on. That win, plus the Dumbledore role, keeps him straddling stage, film, and prestige TV at a high level.

What happens next

Expect more set photos as exterior work continues through the fall. Look for HBO to release an official first-look image or short teaser once core scenes wrap and marketing begins. A more complete cast list and a production timeline update usually arrive once principal photography locks and the network sets its event dates for the following year. If the 2027 target holds, an official teaser could land as early as late 2026.

At a glance: what we know

Item	Status	Source
Role	John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore	Variety, THR
First set photos	Published Oct 8, 2025	Slashfilm, SFFGazette
Filming	U.K. locations and studios	AP, Vanity Fair
Release window	Planned for 2026–2027	Vanity Fair, AP
Recent award	2025 Olivier Best Actor for Giant	AP, Reuters

Why it matters

Dumbledore is central to the series. Getting him right anchors the tone and stakes. The images suggest a classic look and a patient, character-first approach. For fans, that is the clearest sign yet that HBO aims for reverent, confident storytelling rather than a shot-for-shot remake.