John Lithgow is preparing to take on the role of a fan favorite literary character in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO TV series.

While speaking on the SmartLess podcast on Monday, the actor admitted that hes behind everybody when it comes to knowing the series but doesnt think the role of Albus Dumbledore in the reboot project will be that hard.

The overall concept of this entire reboot ofHarry Potteris an entire season is devoted to a single novel, Lithgow said of the series, whichHBO announced in April 2023. He shared that hes halfway through the secondnovel right now as hes educating himself on the story. Given that the series will chronicle all seven books, host Sean Hayes asked Lithgow about the filming schedule and how much hed be traveling, with the series expected to film in London. Lithgow didnt yet know specifics but recalled how he spent a long time in the U.K. while filming The Crown.

I honestly dont know, he told Hayes. I mean, I was over in England for eight months forThe Crownand barely came back [to the U.S.]. I think I may have come back once or twice. I imagine that I can come back much more.

After it was announced that Lithgow would be taking on the role of the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he said he has already experienced people approaching him public to ask about the adaptation.

Can you believe this has already started? Lithgow said. The deal was only set, like, 48 hours ago, and in airports two weeks ago, somehow or other, people had gotten wind of this, and they were stopping me.

When reflecting on the character, which was portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the franchise films, and traveling for the role Lithgow said, You know, Dumbledore is hes kind of the nuclear weapon. He only goes on very, very occasionally. I dont think its gonna be that hard a job, and, well just go back and forth.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow had first revealed that he said yes to playing Dumbledore inthe small screen adaptation of J.K. Rowlings hit books.The Hollywood Reporterhad previously reported that Lithgow was in talks for the role.

Well, it came as a total surprise to me, the actor said. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because its going to define me for the last chapter of my life, Im afraid. But Im very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back toHarry Potter. Thats why its been such a hard decision. Ill be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but Ive said yes.

TheHarry Potterseries is set to begin filming this summer and isdescribed as a more in-depth adaptationof Rowlings seven-book series compared to the films that starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

Francesca Gardiner is serving as the showrunner for the series, with Mark Mylod set to direct multiple episodes.