HARRY POTTER: Mark Rylance Is Reportedly Being Eyed To Play Dumbledore In HBO Series

HARRY POTTER: Mark Rylance Is Reportedly Being Eyed To Play Dumbledore In HBO Series

Though it's very early days, Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, Dunkirk) is reportedly at the top of Warner Bros.' wishlist to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV series...

By MarkCassidy - Nov 12, 2024 08:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Harry Potter
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Though it sounds like things are far from set in stone, Variety is hearing that Warner Bros. Television has an actor in mind to play the key role of Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

According to the trade, Mark Rylance is "at the top of the casting wishlist," and is now "in the mix" to play the fan-favorite Hogwarts headmaster. No offer has been made, but the studio has "reached out to gauge interest and availability."

One HBO rep responded to Variety's enquiry: “We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

Dumbledore was previously played by late Irish acting legends Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, with Jude Law portraying a younger take on the character in the Fantastic Beasts movies.

Rylance has received numerous nominations and awards for his film and TV work over the years, including wins at the Tony Awards and BAFTA Awards. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Rudolf Abel in Bridge of Spies, and has also received three Tony Awards, making him one of only eight actors to have twice won the award for Best Actor in a Play.

Variety also reiterates that the studio is currently searching for newcomers to play the three lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and has launched an open casting call for kids aged between 9 and 11. WBD is reportedly "hoping to populate the adult cast with some of the U.K.’s best-known actors."

Francesca Gardiner (Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve) is on board as showrunner and executive producer, with Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) enlisted as executive producer and director of multiple episodes.

The show's official logline reads: "The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over twenty-five years."

"Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally."

Warner Bros. TV boss Channing Dungey said earlier this year the series will be “more in-depth than you can in just a two-hour film… that’s the whole reason we’re on this journey.”

The snow doesn't have an official premiere date, but should be with us at some point in 2026.

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Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 11/12/2024, 8:32 AM
But Mark Rylance is heterosexual.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 11/12/2024, 8:39 AM
@Malatrollva - Yeah. Not a lot of queer folk are gonna be clamoring for roles in a J.K. Rowling joint.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/12/2024, 10:42 AM
@Lisa89 - gays love her. It's the dudes who claim they aren't dudes that tend to a have a bone to pick.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 11/12/2024, 11:25 AM
@McMurdo - I’m glad to hear you love her.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/12/2024, 12:23 PM
@Lisa89 - are you saying I'm gay? Finally someone provides me the diagnosis.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 11/12/2024, 12:28 PM
@McMurdo - User Comment Image
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/12/2024, 8:42 AM
Hell no.

Mark Rylance doing a Harry Potter TV series would be like hiring Gene Hackman to do an underwear ad.

"These pants don't fit and they ride-up in the crotch."
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 11/12/2024, 8:51 AM
@BillyBatson1000 - I would have said the same thing about Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 11/12/2024, 8:54 AM
@BillyBatson1000 - What so Harry Potter is now beneath him? Get out of here with this crap.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/12/2024, 8:56 AM
@Urubrodi - No, just a bad fit. Like the underwear.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/12/2024, 8:57 AM
@Clintthahamster - You got me there.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 11/12/2024, 8:58 AM
@BillyBatson1000 - Oh misunderstood what you meant, but then again I think he could pull off the calmer version that Richard Harris played.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/12/2024, 9:03 AM
@Urubrodi - Yes, that's true. It's just everything I've seen Mark Rylance in - he's a 'reactive' actor, gives little away emotionally, and keeps very still - even facially. I'm not saying that, that is a bad thing. But you would expect more 'emotionality' from Dumbledore.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/12/2024, 10:42 AM
@BillyBatson1000 - so you haven't seen Bones and All.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/12/2024, 11:28 AM
@McMurdo - Thanks, not yet. I'm putting that on a list.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/12/2024, 12:23 PM
@BillyBatson1000 - it's brilliant.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 11/12/2024, 8:44 AM
Well, he did play a gentle mentor with a secret tougher side in The Outfit, so I suppose it could work.
JstaKIDfrmBKLYN
JstaKIDfrmBKLYN - 11/12/2024, 9:29 AM
I just want Cillian Murphy as Voldemort.
SummersEssex
SummersEssex - 11/12/2024, 9:34 AM
Rylance can play anyone.

Especially Storm
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 11/12/2024, 2:08 PM
@SummersEssex - User Comment Image
dagenspear
dagenspear - 11/12/2024, 9:37 AM
His look isn't my thing.
Spoken
Spoken - 11/12/2024, 10:17 AM
I guess.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/12/2024, 10:43 AM
Dude was fantastic in Bones and All.
BabyLasagna
BabyLasagna - 11/12/2024, 11:03 AM
Is this still a thing?
Timerider
Timerider - 11/12/2024, 11:33 AM
If you want to know what he’ll look like, just watch Ready Player One. He played Anorak with the 3 keys. He looks just like a Wizard.
Timerider
Timerider - 11/12/2024, 11:48 AM
User Comment Image
Kinda like this.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 11/12/2024, 4:06 PM
@Timerider - ok I’m in.

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