Oscar-nominated actor ‘in final talks’ to star as Dumbledore in new Harry Potter series

Filming is due to get underway this summer

It was first reported by film and TV industry outlets Variety and Deadline that the veteran actor is set to take on the esteemed role as makers of the new series look to finalise their cast.

John Lithgow is known for starring in sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun, with other roles ranging from voicing Lord Farquaad in Shrek to playing Winston Churchill in The Crown.

If his casting is confirmed, he will follow in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon who both played the Hogwarts headmaster in the Harry Potter films.

The TV series will feature a brand new cast and is expected to start filming this summer.

It will be "a faithful adaptation of the iconic books" by author JK Rowling, and is due to last for a decade, streaming service HBO Max has said.

While no actors have officially confirmed, an open casting call has been held to find the three young stars of the show.

In a statement given to Deadline, HBO said: "We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation.

"As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals."

Lithgow is a household name in the States, enjoying a respectable career in drama and comedy over the last few decades.

Lithgow earned two Oscar nominations in the 1980s (for The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment) and won three Emmys for playing Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun from 1996 to 2001.

He won another Emmy and got a Bafta nomination for playing Churchill in Netflix's The Crown - proving he can master a British accent.

Most recently he played an FBI boss in The Old Man and as a scheming cardinal in Conclave.