"Why Is This a Factor?": 'Harry Potter' Series Actor Reacts to J.K. Rowling Backlash

Despite stepping into one of the most iconic roles in the wizarding world, John Lithgow is learning there’s a lot more baggage than just spellbooks and wands when it comes to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Lithgow, who has been cast as Albus Dumbledore in the new TV adaptation, recently admitted that when he agreed to join the show, he wasn’t thinking about the firestorm of controversy surrounding franchise author J.K. Rowling. In fact, speaking to The Sunday Times, Lithgow revealed he was initially focused on something else entirely: mortality.