John Lithgow Says J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Rhetoric Didn’t Dissuade Him From Taking On ‘Harry Potter’ Series Role: “Why Is This A Factor At All?”

Despite growing backlash from colleagues like Nicola Coughlan and Pedro Pascal, John Lithgow remains confident in his decision to portray Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter series. He described the criticism as a "canary in the coal mine" and admitted it was an exciting challenge amid the anti-trans rhetoric and Rowling's controversial stance on antisemitism. Still, he felt no compunction about stepping into the iconic role, expressing that fans of the franchise should be reassured by his experience with roles like Winston Churchill and his ability to convey the character's depth.