Mark Rylance is tipped to play Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter series

According to sources from Variety, Mark Rylancean Oscar winner, is the favorite name to play the iconic character Dumbledore in the highly anticipated adaptation of Harry Potter for the HBO. Although Warner Bros. has not yet begun formal negotiations with the actor, the studio reportedly sounded out Rylance about his availability and interest.

Currently, Mark Rylance is preparing to play Thomas Cromwell in the BBC production Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Lightbased on the novel by Hilary Mantel. The actor is known for prominent roles in cinema, such as Bridge of Spies (which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2016), Dunkirk and The Chicago 7.

The TV series Harry Potterannounced in 2023 and scheduled for release in 2026, aims to explore the magical universe in more detail than in the films, according to the president of Warner Bros. TV, Channing Dungey. Just like the original features, the production seeks to fill the adult cast with established names from the British scene, while the main trio – Harry, Hermione and Ron – will be played by novice actors, with a selection process already underway for young people aged between 9 and 11 years.

We recognize that a high-profile series like this will generate a lot of speculation,”an HBO representative told Variety.“We will confirm details as contracts are finalized.”