[First Look] John Lithgow’s Dumbledore Seen on Cornwall Beach Amid ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Filming

Filming for the highly anticipated HBO “Harry Potter” series is in full swing, and fans have gotten their first glimpse of John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore.

The production, based on J.K. Rowling’s iconic fantasy novels, has been shooting in multiple locations across the UK and Europe, including a recent stint on a Cornish beach.

Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton playing Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively.

John Lithgow joins the cast as Dumbledore, following in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Other notable cast members include Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost. The series is produced by HBO Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film & TV, and Heyday Films.

Principal photography started on July 14, at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, where the original eight Harry Potter films were shot. A temporary school was set up on set to accommodate up to 600 child actors during filming. Early production also included location shoots in Brittany, France, around the Tévennec Lighthouse on the Île de Sein.

In the UK, filming has taken place at multiple locations, including London Zoo, Borough High Street in Southwark, King’s Cross station, Hoddesdon, and Wardown Park in Luton. Notably, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their children visited the Hogsmeade Station set at Windsor Great Park, highlighting the series’ high profile.

Recently, attention has turned to Cornwall, where Lithgow was spotted on a windswept beach in full wizarding robes and a long white beard, reading from cue cards as cameras rolled. Locals observed the filming from nearby cliffs, creating a buzz in the area. Redanian Intelligence reported that the production is also filming at Kynance Cove and Coverack, with certain roads closed for filming at Cadgwith on the Lizard from October 6 to 10.

“The proximity of the road to the beach suggests that the beach may be the location for the filming,” Reports noted. Photos have confirmed the presence of the crew at these locations.

The working title for the series is “Dark Train,” and Adriano Goldman is serving as the cinematographer under the direction of Mylod. Filming for the first season is expected to continue until mid-2026, with the second season set to begin production a few months later.

Fans have been quick to react to the first images of Lithgow as Dumbledore. His portrayal has sparked excitement and speculation about how the HBO series will approach the beloved story. The production team has been careful to balance the iconic elements of Hogwarts with fresh interpretations for television audiences.

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