Harry Potter TV series: what we know so far

US actor John Lithgow has confirmed rumours he is to play Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's forthcoming "Harry Potter" TV series.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow – recently seen in Oscar-contender "Conclave" – said he had been offered the part of the Hogwarts headmaster, adding: "I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes." The 79-year-old told the publication he was conscious that the role was "going to define me for the last chapter of my life", but was nonetheless "excited". The role of Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two film adaptations, with Michael Gambon taking on the mantle following Harris' death in 2002.

Although the deal has not yet been confirmed by HBO, Lithgow's comments appear to confirm the first major casting news for the much-anticipated series, which will go into production almost three decades after the publication of J.K. Rowling's first "Harry Potter" novel – and 14 years since the release of the last screen adaptation.

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Who will star in the HBO series?

The casting of Lithgow – who has shown off his English accent as Winston Churchill in Netflix royal drama "The Crown" – suggests a departure from the films, which were cast entirely with British and Irish actors, at Rowling's insistence.

So far, however, most of the actors rumoured to be in consideration hail from the UK and Ireland. Paapa Essiedu, star of "I May Destroy You" and "The Lazarus Project", has been offered the part of Severus Snape, according to The Hollywood Reporter, while Sharon Horgan of "Bad Sisters" and Brett Goldstein from "Ted Lasso" are in contention to play Professor McGonagall and Hagrid respectively, said Deadline. There are also rumours that "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy is "being considered" for the role of arch-villain Voldemort.

Where and when will the Harry Potter TV series be filmed?

Production on the show will begin this summer, with filming taking place at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, where the eight Harry Potter movies were also shot.

But viewers shouldn't expect a carbon copy of the cinematic Potter universe, said The Guardian. Director Mark Mylord directed "Succession" and episodes of "Game of Thrones", and showrunner Francesca Gardiner's CV includes spells as executive producer of the BBC's "His Dark Materials" and "Killing Eve". She "has reportedly spoken in the past about her dislike of patronising children and sanitising horror", so viewers can expect a "dark" look.

Will it follow the books?

HBO has billed the series as "a faithful adaptation" of the books that "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 25 years", said Variety. Early rumours suggested that each season of the show would cover one of the seven books in the Harry Potter series but Warner Bros has said this is a project for "10 consecutive years", which "would seem to defy the one season, one book assertion", said Deadline.