John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Look Finally Settles One Of Harry Potter’s Oldest Debates

Our first look at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore seemingly contributes to one of the oldest debates within the Harry Potter fandom.

Compared to other characters, Dumbledore has been played by the most actors over the years. Richard Harris started out playing the Hogwarts headmaster in the first two Harry Potter movies, and Michael Gambon took over from then on. Jude Law played a younger version of the character in the Fantastic Beasts films, and now Lithgow has taken on the role for the Harry Potter remake.

With such a variety of performances for the same character, there has naturally been a rather fiery debate regarding who did it best. Some claim that Harris was a more book-accurate Dumbledore, while others say that Gambon better fits with Harry Potter‘s description. Naturally, this has made us all the more curious about which version of Dumbledore Lithgow would resemble.

Though we have yet to see Lithgow in action as Albus Dumbledore, set photos from the Harry Potter remake have provided us a look at his costume design. A quick glance is all it takes to determine whether HBO has taken more influence from Harris or Gambon.

John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Look Is Far More Similar To Richard Harris Than Michael Gambon

Lithgow has been completely transformed for the filming of the Harry Potter TV show. The set images show the actor in long, flowing, embossed robes, with a silvery beard that reaches nearly to his knees. Lithgow was given a rather full silver wig, which is tied back into a low ponytail in the set images. Then there are, of course, the half-moon spectacles placed low on our new Dumbledore’s nose.

This look for Dumbledore is far closer to the costumes Harris wore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets than anything donned by Gambon in the next movies. Harris’ robes were typically more flamboyant, and his version of the character had a long curtain of hair paired with a longer, curlier beard.

Gambon’s costume from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban onward featured a more practical greyish-blue robe, accompanied by shorter, curly hair and a tied-up beard. He also didn’t always wear the famed half-moon spectacles. The differences are slight, but they are evident when comparing all three Dumbledores, as Gambon’s design has a unique flavor distinct from Harris’ or Lithgow’s—but not as Dumbledore-ish.

Harry Potter TV Show’s Dumbledore Supports The Argument For Richard Harris Being More Accurate

Ever since Gambon took over the legacy of Dumbledore following Harris’ death, Harry Potter fans have been debating which portrayal is more accurate. Harris had the long hair and x-ray-like knowing stare of the book character, but Gambon was a bit more active and vibrant. Gambon’s costume design was better suited to movement and action, while Harris’ was more mysterious and wizard-like.

Said and done, neither version of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies checked all the boxes. However, when looking at book-accuracy costume design, the fact that the Harry Potter TV show leaned more toward Harris suggests that this look was more on the mark.

HBO has consistently reminded prospective audiences that the upcoming Harry Potter remake is intended to be a faithful adaptation of the books. So far, set images have supported this fact. We’ve seen scenes of Vernon Dursley being hugged by a small wizard on the street (a scene cut by the movies), and a version of Dudley’s zoo trip that features an additional friend (again, unlike the movies).

The design for Lithgow’s Dumbledore again follows through on HBO’s promise. Dumbledore is known in the Harry Potter books for his intricately decorated robes and the very long silver hair and beard, all of which are seen in the set images of Lithgow. Whether this actor gets Dumbledore’s book mannerisms right is another matter, however, and will again require inspiration from both Lithgow’s predecessors.

John Lithgow’s Casting Still Suggests HBO’s Dumbledore Will Be A Balance Of Harris & Gambon

Lithgow was a somewhat surprising casting for the Harry Potter TV show. He is, no doubt, a spectacular performer. However, that very distinct Dumbledore look doesn’t align with how Lithgow is often seen on screen. These new set images settle this concern. He bears a remarkable resemblance to Harris’ Dumbledore. Now, we can look forward to a performance that should combine Harris’ look with Gambon’s vibrancy.

Harris brought a quiet sort of quirkiness to Dumbledore, while Gambon’s version had far more energy. Lithgow is known to be extremely animated in his performances, so we can expect his Dumbledore to be a bit more like Gambon in this regard. This isn’t unlike the books’ Dumbledore. On the page, this character is quietly knowing, but also so full of life that Harry struggled to think of him as an old man.

With all these men bringing something different to the screen in their portrayal of Hogwarts’ headmaster, we’re sure to be debating which is more accurate for years to come. Like Harris and Gambon, Lithgow is sure to check some boxes, but not others. Regardless, we can hope for a magical balance in the Harry Potter remake. Lithgow’s set images, combined with his reputation, are a strong first indication.

Showrunner

Francisca Gardiner

Directors

Mark Mylod

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  Dominic McLaughlin

  Harry Potter

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  Janet McTeer

  Minerva McGonagall

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