As excitement grows over who will play the golden trio Harry, Ron and Hermione – following in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson – it’s now been reported that The Crown star, 79, is going to be taking the Dumbledore role.

John Lithgow, who is American, is nearing a deal to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO ‘s upcoming “Harry Potter” series reboot, according to a report in Deadline.

The move to cast John Lithgow would mark a significant departure from the franchise’s long-standing tradition of casting British and Irish actors in major roles