12 h. ago John Lithgow says Roald Dahl was ‘a very complicated man damaged by terrible tragedies’

Actor stars as the controversial author in the play ‘Giant’, which explores Dahl’s antisemitic statements

Events

3 d. ago Vatican whistleblower blasts American cardinal who 'turned a blind eye' to sex abuse and now plays a key role in selecting the next pope

As the red ribbons were tied around the papal bedroom door, actor John Lithgow's character in the Oscar-nominated movie Conclave looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Events

4 d. ago Vatican sex abuse whistleblower blasts American cardinal who will lead next pope's election: 'Everyone knows, but no one does anything'

As the red ribbons were tied around the papal bedroom door, actor John Lithgow's character in the Oscar-nominated movie Conclave looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Politics

7 d. ago A ‘Black Snape’ in the new Harry Potter seems designed to cause controversy – but it could work | Jason Okundaye

Ignore the fuss: Paapa Essiedu is a brilliant actor who can bring his own depth and style to enrich the iconic characterAfter months of speculation, HBO has announced part of the cast of the latest round of Harry Potter IP-mining: the new TV adaptation of the original books will feature John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid – and Paapa Essiedu as Snape. As the Mail and Telegraph’s headlines were quick to inform their readers, yes, this means a “Black actor” in that iconic role.There is a real concern that Essiedu is drinking from a poisoned chalice – that he will be associated with an author who is at the forefront of a gender-critical movement that has succeeded in redefining the rights of trans people to their detriment; that he will have to weather the racist storm of Potterheads enraged at the diversion from “book accuracy” (Snape is described as having “sallow skin”); and deal with opportunists looking to illustrate their next rant about how the world has succumbed t...

Politics

7 d. ago Actor playing Dumbledore in HBO Harry Potter remake breaks silence after fan backlash

John Lithgow is set to play Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO TV show Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix and he has spoken about the backlash he has faced

Culture

1 week ago Harry Potter actor John Lithgow admits he's 'intimidated' to play iconic role as fans' 'appalled'

The 3rd Rock From the Sun actor is playing the Hogwarts headmaster

Politics

1 week ago John Lithgow says ‘I will do my best’ following Harry Potter casting news backlash

American actor John Lithgow says he's ‘intimidated’ but excited to play Dumbledore in the new decade-long HBO adaptation

Politics

1 week ago John Lithgow ‘very intimidated’ to play Dumbledore in Harry Potter TV series

The 79-year-old said he would ‘do my best’ in the role.

Culture

1 week ago John Lithgow breaks silence on backlash around new Harry Potter series

Actor John Lithgow previously revealed it was a 'hard decision' agreeing to feature on a new Harry Potter spin off but has now addressed the backlash surrounding it

Politics

1 week ago Harry Potter TV cast: Meet the stars playing Dumbledore, Hagrid, and McGonagall in new JK Rowling series

The new Harry Potter cast has been unveiled, featuring John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid

Culture

1 week ago Harry Potter TV cast: Meet the stars playing Dumbledore, Hagrid, and McGonnagal in new JK Rowling series

The new Harry Potter cast has been unveiled, featuring John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid

Culture

1 week ago The new Hogwarts staff – who are the actors joining the Harry Potter TV series?

The new HBO original series will feature British actors Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu alongside US star John Lithgow.

Culture

1 week ago Nick Frost, John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu confirmed as Harry Potter TV cast

The series will feature a brand new cast while staying authentic to the original books.

Politics

1 week ago HBO reveals first part of Harry Potter TV cast, including Dumbledore and Hagrid

John Lithgow confirmed in Dumbledore role, with Paapa Essiedu playing Severus Snape and Nick Frost as HagridFor a lot of Harry Potter fans, no actors could ever live up to the original cast of the cherished film franchise. For others, a new TV adaptation is an opportunity for greater detail and faithfulness to JK Rowling’s magical seven-book series.Much of the guessing and speculation can be put to rest now, as HBO has made its first official casting announcement for some of the wizarding world’s most notable characters in its forthcoming Harry Potter series. Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago Eclipse review – Tom Conti stars in intriguing but elusive tale of a mysterious death

Conti plays twin brothers, one of whom is suspected of the other’s murder, in this dreamy but frustrating fableSimon Perry’s elusive, lugubrious, faintly bizarre psychodrama from 1977, based on a novel of the same name by author and travel writer Nicholas Wollaston is now re-released; it is a dreamily directionless movie which resists, or almost resists, categorisation. It seems as if it is going to be a thriller or supernatural mystery, and you can wait almost until the final credits for some final narrative flourish or definitive plot shock that would prove what it’s all been about. And in fact there is a revelation, but it is presented so coolly that you will be expecting something else to come afterwards. An unsympathetic producer might well want to cut this film by two-thirds and present it as an episode of Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected, but that would be to lose the flavour and perhaps the meaning. I’m still not sure what I think about Eclipse, but it’s certainly distin...

Events

1 week ago Eclipse review – Tom Conti stars in intriguing but elusive 70s tale of a mysterious death

Conti plays twin brothers, one of whom is suspected of the other’s murder, in this dreamy but frustrating fableSimon Perry’s elusive, lugubrious, faintly bizarre psychodrama from 1977, based on a novel of the same name by author and travel writer Nicholas Wollaston is now re-released; it is a dreamily directionless movie which resists, or almost resists, categorisation. It seems as if it is going to be a thriller or supernatural mystery, and you can wait almost until the final credits for some final narrative flourish or definitive plot shock that would prove what it’s all been about. And in fact there is a revelation, but it is presented so coolly that you will be expecting something else to come afterwards. An unsympathetic producer might well want to cut this film by two-thirds and present it as an episode of Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected, but that would be to lose the flavour and perhaps the meaning. I’m still not sure what I think about Eclipse, but it’s certainly distin...

Events

2 w. ago Stars so bright you gotta wear shades: backstage at the Olivier awards 2025 – in pictures

Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to snap Cate Blanchett, John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, Naomi Campbell and many moreGiant, Benjamin Button and Fiddler on the Roof triumphFull list of winners‘To my wife for managing my vast collection of neuroses!’ – best quotes Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Olivier winner John Lithgow attacks Trump’s second presidency as ‘a disaster’ for US arts

Speaking after his best actor victory, Lithgow said Donald Trump’s administration ‘has done some shocking, destructive things’ especially its takeover of the Kennedy CenterThe actor John Lithgow has described Donald Trump’s second presidency as “a pure disaster” for the arts in the US. Lithgow, speaking after his best actor victory at the Olivier awards in London on Sunday, singled out Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, Washington DC’s national institution for the performing arts. “Our administration has done some shocking, destructive things,” he said, “but the one that grieves me most is taking over the Kennedy Center.”The US president is now chair of the prestigious cultural complex (which was founded as a government-funded, bipartisan venue) and has installed new board members and a new interim leader, loyalist Ric Grenell. The board had been in the process of selecting a successor to outgoing leader Deborah Rutter, who in January announced her intention to step down after ...

Events

2 w. ago Dame Imelda Staunton wins fifth Olivier as John Lithgow takes swipe at Trump

Harry Potter and The Crown star Staunton took home her fifth Olivier Award on Sunday.

Politics

2 w. ago John Lithgow and Lesley Manville take home acting gongs at starry Olivier Awards

Imelda Staunton and Romola Garai were among the winners of the night

Events