Gary Oldman Says He Could Play Dumbledore inHarry PotterTV Series After Sirius Black 'Wasn't in It Enough'

Mar. 15, 2025

Gary Oldman in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2024; Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007).Photo:Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Alamy

Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Alamy

TheSlow Horsesstar spoke withIndieWireat theEmmy Awardson Sunday, Sept. 15, and said he hasn’t been “approached” about the show — but he also doesn’t expect that, if he did, it would be for his original character Sirius Black.

“I would bet my money that they will get a whole new cast of people,” said Oldman, 66. “Maybe in a few years I could do Dumbledore.”

Regardless, “I love Sirius,” he said of his movie character, the godfather of boy wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who was wrongly imprisoned for 12 years until his escape, which is chronicled in 2004’sHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

“He wasn’t in it enough. He turned up and then he went through the veil," Oldman added of Sirius, who met his untimely end at the hands of his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) just two films later: in 2007’sHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonex(2001).Alamy

Alamy

News about a reboot of the series — which first brought actorsRupert Grint,Emma Watsonand Radcliffe, 35, to stardom on the big screen in 2001 — wasfirst reported in April 2023.

Last week, HBO confirmed toVarietythe authenticity of a casting-call poster appealing for budding actors and actresses, specifically to play the main trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

The notice continued on to say that “qualified performers” will also be considered regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity and more.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007).Everett Collection

Everett Collection

As for his performance as Sirius, Oldman previouslycalled his own work in the films “mediocre” during a December 2023 appearance on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast.

But during aCannes Film Festivalpress conference in May, he clarified that he meant he believes he “might have approached” the role “differently,” had he read each of theHarry Potternovels that feature his character before filming his scenes.

“Imay have looked at it differentlyand painted in a different color. So when I startedHarry Potter, all I had was the bookThe Prisoner of Azkabanand that one representation of that man. One book in the library of Sirius Black,” Oldman said.

source: people.com