John Lithgow is seen as Dumbledore for the first time as he arrived on the Harry Potter TV series set in Cornwall on Wednesday morning.

The American actor, 79, looked unrecognisable as he transformed into the iconic Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as he started filming the Philosopher’s Stone for the upcoming HBO series. 

John looked worlds away from himself wearing the professor's long white hair, beard and moustache as well as his wizarding robes and glasses.  

The actor was a far cry from the wizarding school Hogwarts as he was spotted filming on the sandy beach in Cornwall. 

Adding to his incredible costume, John wore a puff sleeved blue shirt, a matching waistcoat with a gold pocket watch and velvet blue trousers. 

He filmed intense scenes walking along the beach in the shallow ocean water before he was spotted clutching his waist and looking in pain. 

Later crew members filmed John from above standing on a raised platform and were seen using a wind machine and holding up cue cards with spells on. 

Between takes, John was spotted on the beach reading lines and chatting away to crew members. 

He looked serious as he raised his hands in the air, presuming to cast a spell as he read from another set of cue cards which were raised into the air by a crew member. 

Previously, Dumbledore was originally played by Irish actor Richard Harris in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but he tragically passed away after The Chamber of Secrets wrapped filming. 

He was subsequently replaced in the films by the legendary Michael Gambon, who tragically died in 2023.

The Harry Potter prequel series Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, who decided to show a younger version of Dumbledore, saw Jude Law take on the role. 

Discussing landing the role, John said stepping in to the shoes of the magical headmaster ‘came as a total surprise to me'.

'I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life. I’m afraid.

‘But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter.

‘That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.’

Dumbledore, the fictional headmaster of Hogwarts and a mentor to the title character, has become one of the most-beloved characters among fans of Rowling's original books and the film series.

Elsewhere in the quiet fishing village of Cadgwith on The Lizard was transformed into the wizarding world of Harry Potter on Tuesday as they continued to film the HBO series. 

Dominic McLaughlin was spotted in costume as the new Harry Potter as he arrived at the film set for the Philosopher’s Stone.

Filming kicked off at the Cadgwith Cove Inn before moving to the beach, where a dramatic scene was staged involving a car surrounded by fishing boats and extras in traditional Sou'westers.

Rain was simulated using sprinklers and water sprays, adding to the atmosphere of the scene, which featured Harry, Bel Powley as Aunt Petunia, cousin Dudley, played by Amos Kitson, and Uncle Vernon, played by Daniel Rigby.

It comes after bosses are so desperate to keep filming under wraps, they are thought to have taken extreme lengths to stop secrets leaking from the multimillion-pound set. 

Cast and crew have apparently been ordered to use codewords to hide the project's identity, first using the word 'Dark Train' before switching to 'Brown Cat.' 

Phones are thought to be banned on set, and messages to cast and crew vanish after being read once. 

Meanwhile, a £4million set has been built in Windsor park, complete with a replica of Hogsmeade Station and half a mile of track where the Hogwarts Express has been seen steaming through.

The shoot last month was taking place close to Forest Lodge, soon to be the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

Following a nationwide casting search, Dominic McLaughlin landed the role of the titular hero Harry Potter.

Arabella Stanton will play Harry's close friend Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout is set to star as Ron Weasley.

The likes of John Lithgow, 79, will play Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer, 64, will be Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu, 35, as Severus Snape and Nick Frost, 53, as Hagrid.

Many are desperate to know who has landed the character as Lord Voldemort - who was originally played by Ralph Fiennes, 62, in the franchise between 2005 and 2011.

According to DanielRPK, HBO are looking at both male and female stars to potentially star in the TV series as the iconic character.

Harry Potter hit our screens in November 2001 after author J.K Rowling released seven books.

The names include: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 

It comes after last month the TV series confirmed the return of one of the original film stars - with the iconic actor set to reprise his role.

British actor Warwick Davis will be returning to the hotly anticipated new series as Professor Filius Flitwick - the passionate, if uptight, teacher of Charms.

The announcement was made to mark Back to Hogwarts, the annual September 1 celebration where fans around the globe honour the beloved return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

J.K. Rowling's involvement in the series as executive producer has attracted controversy from fans over her views on transgender issues.

The author who created the fantasy novels on which the show is based, previously took to X to rave about the first two episodes after confirming that while she did not pen them herself, she did work closely with the writers.

She said: 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!'.

Meanwhile, HBO previously defended Rowling's involvement in a statement, saying: 'We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.

'JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.'

Back in April, Rowling hit the headlines as she celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling that trans women are not legally women.

Britain's top judges unanimously found that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex, not acquired gender.

The decision was hailed by gender-critical campaigners as a major victory, with the multi-millionaire author saying it would protect 'the rights of women and girls across the UK'.

Rowling, who reportedly helped fund the women's rights campaign group which brought the Supreme Court case, shared a photo online from on board her $150 million superyacht puffing a cigar in celebration.

Daniel Radcliffe, 35, and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 35, and Rupert Grint, 36, have spoken publicly in support of gender ideology - that biologically male trans women should be regarded as women.

They have each commented in opposition to Rowling's views on the issue, while expressing their gratitude for her role in their careers.