Son of Dumbledore actor says Harry Potter films don't need HBO remake on TV: “Leave them alone”

“Mad Men” and “Chernobyl” actor Jared Harris, son of original “Dumbledore” actor Richard Harris, has criticized HBO’s “Harry Potter” TV reboot.

The Independent asked Harris if he would be interested in playing Dumbledore in the series – a reference to his father's leading role in the first two Harry Potter films before his death in 2002. “No, thank you,” Harris said simply.

He then expressed confusion as to why the series – which currently has no release date but is already set for a 10-year run – is being made at all. “I mean, why do it?” Harris asked. “I don't understand. The movies were fantastic. Leave them alone.”

The cast for the reboot has not yet been announced, but HBO is looking for Harry, Hermione and Ron. As for the role of Dumbledore, original Sirius Black actor Gary Oldman joked that he's about the right age to play the Hogwarts headmaster after making his debut in The Prisoner of Azkaban 20 years ago.

However, filming on the Harry Potter television series is expected to begin in spring 2025, so casting announcements will likely come relatively soon.

Announced in April last year, the series will be a “faithful adaptation” of the novels and will run for several seasons. The Harry Potter series will be directed and written by Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the latter of whom also worked on Game of Thrones.

Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance reporter at IGN. He talks about The Witcher all day long.