The Harry Potter TV show might have found its Dumbledore. Actor Mark Rylance, best known for his roles in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies and Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, is being eyed for the major role.

Mark Rylance is at the top of the casting wishlist for the new HBO "Harry Potter" adaptation, Variety has learned from sources familiar with the project. Rylance, who is starring as Thomas Cromwell in the highly-anticipated BBC period drama "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light" (based on Hilary Mantel's novel),

If all goes as planned, HBO's Harry Potter adaptation is keen on getting Mark Rylance on board as it's Dumbledore. According to Variety, he is at the top of the wishlist of HBO makers. Mark Rylance is currently starring as Thomas Cromwell in the highly-anticipated BBC period drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light.

Meanwhile, Jared Harris – son of Richard Harris, who played Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films – said “no thank you” to the idea, and questioned why the project was being made in the first instance.

Warner Bros. Television is looking to enlist an Academy Award-winning actor to portray Professor Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show for HBO. The iconic character was formerly played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the blockbuster franchise.

The upcoming Harry Potter television series receives its first major casting update as HBO eyes a well-known actor to play Albus Dumbledore.