Fans of the wizarding world were treated to a surprising sight this week as the first images of John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore arrived from the set of HBO’s new Harry Potter series. The photos, which quickly spread online, show the veteran actor in full costume with a long white beard and robes. The big surprise for fans was the location: a beach, a setting that doesn’t appear in the first book, leaving everyone to wonder what magic is being woven for the new show.
The series, which started filming in July 2025, is a fresh television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven books, with each season planned to cover one novel. The show is currently shooting its first season, based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, in locations across the UK.
The Mysterious Beach Photos
The set photos show John Lithgow fully transformed into the Hogwarts headmaster. He sports Dumbledore’s signature long, silver beard and wears deep blue robes with round spectacles perched on his nose. The actor was filmed on a beach in Cornwall, England, standing on the sand with waves crashing behind him.
In some of the images, Lithgow is seen looking at large cue cards. One card featured a Latin phrase that has since been translated online as “Let the wall fall, let the way be clear.” This cryptic clue has further fueled fan speculation about the scene’s meaning, as this phrase is not spoken by Dumbledore in the original books.
Fan Theories and Speculations
The beach setting has prompted several theories from dedicated fans trying to piece together the puzzle. Since the scene does not match any event from the first book, it suggests the TV series will expand on the original story.
One popular theory suggests the scene might show Dumbledore visiting Nicolas Flamel. The immortal alchemist, who created the Philosopher’s Stone, is mentioned in the first book but never seen. Other set photos appear to show actors Lambert Wilson and Marthe Keller as Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel, supporting this idea. The beach could be the location for a meeting between the two powerful wizards to discuss the Stone and its protection.
Another compelling theory connects the seaside to a much later part of the story. In the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore takes Harry to a seaside cave to retrieve one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. While this event is years away in the story timeline, some fans speculate the show could be filming this pivotal scene early or perhaps showing a time when Dumbledore investigated the cave alone before the events of the first book.
A more practical theory is also circulating. Given that the series is expected to take nearly a decade to complete, the production might be filming some of Lithgow’s later scenes now to ensure continuity. With the actor being 79 years old, this would be a strategic move by the producers.
A New, Expanded Adaptation
The mysterious beach scene strongly indicates that HBO’s series will not be a straight, page-for-page retelling. The creators have previously hinted that the longer format of a television series allows them to explore parts of the story the movies had to skip.
In an announcement on the official Harry Potter website late last year, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared their excitement for the project. Gardiner, who calls herself a “mega-fan,” revealed they will have the time to “dig into the real depths and crevices” of the story. They also confirmed that characters who were cut from the films, like the mischievous poltergeist Peeves, will appear in the series.
The series promises to be a faithful yet expanded retelling, with the first season getting eight episodes to tell the story of the first book. This provides ample room to include new scenes, such as Dumbledore’s trip to the beach, that explore the wider wizarding world and the headmaster’s own missions.
The Cast and Creative Team
The new series features a largely British cast, with newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. They are joined by a roster of acclaimed actors, including Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
Author J.K. Rowling is serving as an executive producer on the project. HBO CEO Casey Bloys has confirmed that Rowling is “fairly involved” and was part of the process in selecting the writer and director for the series.
The series is scheduled to premiere on HBO in early 2027.
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