Why were there two actors for Dumbledore?

Michael Gambon was cast as Harris’ replacement four months after Harris’ death. Gambon was not concerned about bettering Harris, and he portrayed the character in his own way, putting on a slight Irish accent for the role, as well as completing his scenes in three weeks.

Outside of maybe Gandalf, there isn’t an iconic wizard in fantasy literature who is as beloved as Dumbledore. The Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry helped to introduce Harry and his friends to the magical world. Over the course of the seven Harry Potter books, Albus Dumbledore became one of the most complex characters within the series. There was a layer of intrigue within his presence, and although readers learned many secrets about Dumbledore’s past, some mysteries remained shrouded in secrecy. The novels quickly proved that they couldn’t be contained to the page alone, and a film series was quickly put into production. Unquestionably, the biggest challenge would be finding three young actors who could grow and develop over the course of seven years (and ten years of production). However, nailing Dumbledore was just as important. The films needed a prominent mentor character who could be both tender and powerful.

The legendary Irish actor Richard Harris was cast in Christopher Columbus’ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, but he tragically passed away after The Chamber of Secrets wrapped filming. He was subsequently replaced in the next film by another acclaimed Irish thespian, Michael Gambon. The prequel series decided to show a younger version of Dumbledore, and Jude Law first appeared in the second film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. However, it appears that Dumbledore’s adventures on screen may have reached a standstill. Following the underperformance of the third Fantastic Beasts film at the box office, its unclear if Warner Brothers is still intent on continuing the series to reach its intended fourth and fifth chapters. Controversy continues to surround original Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, whose transphobic comments have made many longtime Wizarding World fans contemplate their dedication to series. Although Rowling has never offered any condolenscens to the fans thay were offended by her rhetoric, Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zazlav seems intent on developing the series further, suggesting he’s open to working with Rowling again.

The complexity surrounding Rowling and a modern reprisal of the franchise specifically relates to the films’ depictions of Dumbledore himself. Dumbledore was confirmed by Rowling to be an LGBTQ character, even if she’s done very little to note that in her work itself. Nonetheless, Harry Potter fans (and specifically LGBTQ fans) should not have to associate Rowling’s complex feelings about the character with the lovely performances that brought him to life. Each of these great actors showed a different side of the complex mentor, friend, mystery, and icon that is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Here are all three Dumbledore actors, ranked.