6 days Ago By Charlie Duncan
John Lithgow, who has been confirmed to portray Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the TV series reboot of Harry Potter, received an Academy Award nomination for playing a trans role in 1982.John Lithgow, who was confirmed on 14 April as part of the cast of HBO’s TV reboot of the fantasy film series based on controversial author JK Rowling’s novels, is set to play the iconic role of Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.But while some fans have argued that it’s too soon for a remake (with the final film of the series releasing in 2011), many others have fallen out of love with the Harry Potter franchise due to its creator’s views on the transgender community.
That’s why Lithgow’s appearance in the series is particularly surprising, with the 79-year-old scoring an Academy Award nomination for his role as trans ex-football player Roberta Muldoon in the 1982 Robin Williams film The World According to Garp.Lithgow was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Roberta, who is considered to be among the first trans characters in mainstream cinema.The film’s director George Roy Hill saw Robert as a comedic role, but John Irving (author of the film’s source material novel) said that Lithgow could have played the part “a I wrote her” – meaning a more “emphatic” performance.
“I knew we didn’t see eye to eye about Roberta. George was a World War II guy; he couldn’t see past the comedic part of a transgender woman who’d been an NFL player,” Irving said in a 2023 interview with Gay City News.“A pity, because John Lithgow, who was cast as Roberta in the film, could have played her as I wrote her.
Roberta is a force of normality in an otherwise extreme world; she is the only character who loves Garp and his mother equally, the only character who isn’t in a rage about someone or something.”Lithgow also recently starred in trans film Jimpa alongside Olivia Colman, with his casting in the Harry Potter series leaving many fans disappointed.John Lithgow will play Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter show.
(Getty/Warner Bros. Pictures)Lithgow joins the ranks of Ozark‘s Janet McTeer, who will play transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu, who will play antagonistic potions master Severus Snape.Luke Thallon will play Quirrel, the stammering Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and the role of the Hogwarts Gamekeeper has gone to Hot Fuzz‘s Nick Frost, while Paul Whitehouse will play caretaker Filch, all confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter.
HBO’s response to concerns over JK Rowling’s views on trans people has been to say that Rowling has “a right to express her personal views”. A spokesperson told Variety last year the series “will only benefit from her involvement.”HBO CEO Casey Bloys has also previously addressed this point, saying he’s “totally comfortable with it” and “not worried” about the backlash.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.The post Harry Potter TV show’s Dumbledore actor John Lithgow was nominated for an Oscar for this trans role appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news..
