US actor John Lithgow is reportedly set to take on the role of Dumbledore as the makers of the new Harry Potter TV series start to assemble their cast. The veteran Oscar-nominated star is "in final talks" to sign up to play the Hogwarts headmaster, according to film and TV industry outlets Variety and Deadline.

The premium cabler is in talks with John Lithgow to play Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. News of Lithgow’s potential involvement follows THR ‘s reporting that British actor Paapa Essiedu ( I May Destroy You) is in discussions to play Professor Severus Snape. HBO declined to comment.

Lithgow is, undeniably, a much bigger name than Rylance, at least in his native U.S.. (Although it’s kind of weird that they’re looking to cast an American actor in the role of one of the iconic British wizards;