John Lithgow has said that he’s “very excited” to be joining the upcoming “Harry Potter” series as Albus Dumbledore, brushing off criticism that the role of the wizarding headteacher has been given to an American actor.

Here is everything we know so far about HBO’s “Harry Potter” TV series.

John Lithgow previously stated that he had been cast as Dumbledore, which HBO confirmed Monday, along with Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Those four will all serve as series regulars.