News

Chuck Lorre is back with a new sitcom, titled “Leanne,” led by standup comedian Leanne Morgan.

The sitcom follows Leanne as her life gets turned upside down after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman, leading her to lean on her twice-divorced sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) and her family to get through the tough spot.

Learn more about the cast of the new Netflix sitcom below, and where you might have seen them before.

Patrick McElhenney/Netflix

Leanne Morgan as Leanne

Comedian Leanne Morgan plays the sitcom’s titular character Leanne, who is in for the shock of her life when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.

Outside of her standup, Morgan can be seen in “You’re Cordially Invited” and “Sun Moon.”

Patrick McElhenney/Netflix

Kristen Johnston as Carol

Kristen Johnston plays Carol, Leanne’s sister who helps her navigate her divorce from first-hand experience,...

Looking to add some much-needed laughs into your life? Look no further than Netflix's brand-new sitcom Leanne, which comes from The Big Bang Theory mastermind Chuck Lorre and stars breakthrough stand-up comedy talent Leanne Morgan. All 16 episodes of the series made their premiere on July 31, making for the perfect late summer comedy binge-watch!

Based on the comedy of Leanne Morgan but not completely based on her life, the comedian stars as Leanne Murphy, a wife, mother, and grandmother who suddenly finds herself single when her husband of over 30 years (Ryan Stiles) leaves her for another woman. She leans on her children, parents, and young sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) to start a new chapter in her life.

If you're a fan of Morgan or sitcoms, you're probably going to be quick to dive into this show on Netflix, and you're right to since it's the comeback to cozy '00s-era sitcoms we've needed.

Offbeat yet family-centered, “Leanne” doubles down on the Southern wit and candid conversation around well-lived womanhood that has made comedian Leanne Morgan a standup sensation.

Co-created with Chuck Lorre, whose sitcom track record with “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mom,” and more has earned him the tag “King of Sitcoms,” the 16-episode comedy has a new beginnings twist. After 33 years of marriage, Leanne’s husband Bill (Ryan Lee Stiles) suddenly leaves her for a younger woman, forcing her to rethink her life as a now single grandmother in menopause.

With her parents Daddy John (Blake Clark) and Mama Margaret (Celia Weston) still together, divorce is a hard state for Leanne but well-worn territory for her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) who becomes her rock. As Carol encourages her big sister to get out there, Leanne’s life takes unexpected turns. From their small community discovering the scandalous...

Tomorrow, Netflix is premiering Leanne, a new sitcom. Some will think of this as a vehicle for stand-up comic Leanne Morgan, which is fair: It is her name in the title, she’s credited as a co-creator and the show revolves around her character, also named Leanne, navigating a midlife split from her longtime husband Bill (Ryan Stiles). Some will categorize it among the many multicam sitcoms for which its co-creator, Chuck Lorre, is known, including Two and A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Dharma & Greg. But discerning viewers will have marked “New Kristen Johnston show” on their calendars as soon as Morgan, during her guest co-host stint, threw to a preview clip on Today’s fourth hour.

For any who doubt whether Johnston should always be considered a headliner — including in Leanne, where Johnston’s character Carol is undeniably the sidekick to her sister, the show...

Every year, the Television Academy bestows Emmy Awards for lead, supporting, and guest acting performances, depending on screen time and/or eligibility factors like episode count. It's quite rare for someone to win in all three categories throughout their careers — but not impossible.

At the 2025 Emmys, Best Drama Actress nominee Kathy Bates (Matlock) and Best Comedy Actress nominee Uzo Aduba (The Residence) could join the esteemed list that includes some truly iconic television personalities.

Bates, our predictions frontrunner for CBS' reimagined Matlock, previously won in supporting for the limited series American Horror Story: Coven (2014) and in guest for the comedy series Two and a Half Men (2012). Aduba, currently ranked fifth for the recently canceled The Residence, is a double champion in supporting for the limited series Mrs. America (2020) and the drama series Orange Is the New Black (2015), plus she won in guest for the latter when it was classified as...

Leanne star Kristen Johnston once made several headlines for her brief romance with the MCU star Ryan Reynolds. The Deadpool actor is known to have had a series of high-profile romances before settling down with Blake Lively.

Johnston and Reynolds initially sparked dating rumors in the late ’90s, especially after they attended the premiere of Tom Hanks’ 1999 film, The Green Mile, together. And while the details of their romance had been vague, Johnston did later confirm the relationship during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.

Kristen Johnston Called Ex Ryan Reynolds a Lovely Guy Kristen Johnston in Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen | Credit: @wwhl/ YouTube

Known for her Emmy-winning performance as Sally Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, Kristen Johnston has not had many public relationships, but her brief romance with actor Ryan Reynolds sparked considerable interest.

Related: Ryan Reynolds’ Role in Dragging Gwyneth Paltrow...

South Park may have two creators, but the vast majority of its 300-plus episodes are written and directed by Trey Parker with very little exception. As co-creator Matt Stone put it in the documentary 6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park, “Even though we’re a partnership — and I really do feel that way, that we each bring something different to the table, and that’s what made us survive — the way the stories are expressed is completely through Trey. Trey’s the chef.”

That way of working, however, took a few years for Parker and Stone to figure out. Early on — and particularly during South Park’s first season — Comedy Central set up South Park to operate more like a traditional show with staff writers. Most of those writers, however, would end up getting let go before Season Two.

Still, they did contribute to the ideas and success of that first season,...

It's hard to highlight any one performance from "The Pitt" as being a standout. Every single member of "The Pitt" cast delivered, which is part of what made the HBO Max medical drama so successful. But there were definite fan-favorites among the impressively expansive ensemble, and Katherine Lanasa's charge nurse, Dana Evans, is one of the best examples.

Lanasa, who has been working since the early '90s, delivered a brilliantly naturalistic portrayal of the beleaguered nurse who oversees the day-to-day running of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital's emergency room. A tough yet sensitive member of the ER team, Dana is a longtime friend and general supporter of Noah Wyle's Dr. Michael Robinavitch. But as the 15-hour shift wears on, we see Dana's resilience broken down as she's forced to weather the unrelenting tragedies and stresses of a particularly tough day at the office, which is only...

Kathy Bates on Tuesday earned her 13th career Emmy Award nomination for acting — but it was nonetheless a noteworthy one.

That is because the Matlock headliner, at age 77, now stands as the oldest person to vie for Lead Actress in a Drama. Angela Lansbury previously held the record as a 70-year-old contender in 1996, for playing Murder, She Wrote‘s Jessica Fletcher.

More from TVLineDear Emmys: Stop Letting a Handful of Shows Dominate the Acting CategoriesFBI Adds Svu's Juliana Aidén Martinez, Ahead of Previous Hire's Season 8 ExitCBS Sets Fall Premiere Dates for NCIS, Matlock and More - Tom Ellis' CIA Bumped...

Over a 50+-year career, legendary sitcom director James Burrows has been honored with 28 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, winning five.

At age 84, his most recent nomination came Tuesday for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern for the episode “Here’s To You, Mrs. Schneiderman.” It is the ninth episode of Season 1 in which Bunny (Nathan Lane), Jerry (Matt Bomer) and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) face the sudden tragedy of losing Bunny’s mom, Sybil Schneiderman, played by Linda Lavin, as they try to find how to move on. Lavin had died unexpectedly of lung cancer after filming seven of the 10 episodes in the season.

Burrows, who began his career with The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1974, has won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards over the course of his career, including for Outstanding Comedy Series. His first nomination and first win for directing in...

Kathy Bates is in the Emmy conversation this year for her lead role on CBS’ new Matlock. But her name has been synonymous with awards buzz for most of her 50-plus years on stage and screen. The Tennessee native had moved to New York after college and was a well-established theater actress before she broke through in Hollywood with her Oscar-winning performance in 1990’s Misery, the Stephen King adaptation in which she brought Annie Wilkes to life.

Not long after, the Television Academy began to recognize the actress for her small-screen work (she’d been playing minor TV roles since 1978), nominating her for performances in shows like 3rd Rock From the Sun and Six Feet Under. The 10th nom proved to be the charm, when Bates earned her first Emmy as outstanding guest actress in a comedy for playing Charlie Sheen’s character’s ghost on Two and a Half Men...

Ed Gale, the actor and stunt performer known for roles in Child’s Play and Howard the Duck, has died. He was 61.

The Bride of Chucky star died Tuesday in hospice care in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, as his niece Kayse Gale confirmed the death in a Facebook post paying tribute to her uncle. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

“It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the sudden passing of our uncle Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife,” started Kayse in the post.

“Ed hitched a ride to California when he was twenty years old, with $41 and a dream, and he never looked back,” she continued, adding that of his more than 130 onscreen credits, his “favorite role was that of the ‘fun uncle.’ His love language was...

Ed Gale, who made his film debut wearing the “Howard the Duck” suit and went on to play Chuckie in “Child’s Play” and two other films in the series, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 61.

His niece Kayse Gale wrote on Facebook, “It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the sudden passing of our uncle, Ed Gale. Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife. Ed hitched a ride to California when he was twenty years old, with $41 and a dream, and he never looked back. He lit up the silver screens in cult classic films like Howard the Duck and Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, earning himself some serious street cred at every con he attended. Which he never stopped bragging about. Ever.

“Over the course of his career he appeared in over 130 movies,...

Unfurl those red and gold banners, because it’s a big day for Gryffindor House.

Eight months after opening a casting call for Harry Potter‘s central trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, HBO has found the actors that will play the young wizards in its forthcoming Harry Potter series.

More from TVLineThe Rehearsal: Nathan Fielder Pulls Off His Wildest TV Stunt Yet in a High-Flying Finale - Grade the Season!The Last of Us Season 3: Is Pedro Pascal Gone for Good? Here's What the EPs SayThe Last of Us Finale Kills [Spoiler], Teases Abby's Side of the Story - Plus,...

It's not uncommon for screenwriters to write scripts with specific actors in mind to play certain roles in their story. For writers and filmmakers with a significant amount of clout, they occasionally go as far as to work directly with the intended actors for these planned parts. Of course, even with this level of specificity in writing and planning, no casting is ever guaranteed, even when the cameras start rolling on a production. Some of the most acclaimed and popular writers of their day can't even secure the actors they envisioned to play their biggest characters.

Whether it's creative differences or timing conflicts, actors turn down even the juiciest roles they're offered. It's a sad inevitability of the business. Fortunately, for most of the projects listed here, the actors ultimately cast in these parts, originally planned for others, elevated the projects that they joined. Here are 12 actors who rejected parts...

Murderbot is the latest science fiction series from Apple TV+, taking an ambitious swing at a well-worn trope in the genre. Paul and Chris Weitz — known for Rogue One and American Pie — bring a deadpan comedic style to the source material that proves deadly effective. However, they rarely push the envelope within the genre.

While the series can be addictive and engaging at times, it often falls into the trap common to many Apple productions: a gluttonous display of style over substance, more concerned with showing off than telling a compelling story. (It is the “Look at me!” approach.)

Thank goodness for Alexander Skarsgård, whose humorous spin on the material keeps the viewer engaged. Skarsgård’s dilemmatic turn and dry wit engage the audience enough to keep coming back for more.

Apple TV+’s Murderbot Review and Synopsis Related: Scream Factory: Orphan Review

The story follows a “SecUnit” (Alexander Skarsgård...

When CBS first ordered a "Matlock" reboot back in 2023, the decision may have been a head-scratcher to some. Even aside from the fact that most of the cast of the original "Matlock" have passed away and their fans were likely nearing 60 years of age at least, the television landscape is already so crowded with courtroom dramas that an addition of this kind could understandably feel unnecessary. Speaking for those of us who held that opinion back then, we're happy to have been proven wrong.

"Matlock" is an unexpectedly fresh TV show with a unique perspective on the legal procedural genre, buoyed by a cast that flaunts comedic and dramatic talent in equal measure. This doesn't come as too much of a surprise if you recognize them from previous films and television shows, which include some of the best comedies and dramas TV has ever seen. From "The Office" and "Pitch Perfect...

Kids, the year 2025 marks 20 years of "How I Met Your Mother" (Himym), and despite a contentious finale and claims that the show is now "problematic," its fandom remains fervent. Just as an older Ted Mosby revels in recounting old memories to his two children, so too do fans live to relive every slap bet, "but um," and romantic twist and turn across Ted's near 10-year romantic odyssey in search of the eponymous mother. From newfound success on streaming, a still-active Reddit page with over 350,000 members, to even the occasional Himym-themed wedding, the show's staying power cannot be underestimated.

Case in point: Series star Josh Radnor (present-day Ted) and co-creator Craig Thomas recently launched the show's first official rewatch podcast, "How We Made Your Mother," and the series has already amassed several thousand followers across Instagram, YouTube, and podcasting platforms. In light of them revisiting the entire series, episode by episode,...

At Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, tensions are running high as the nursing staff reach a breaking point with the hospital administration. Fed up with what they see as a pattern of neglect and broken promises, the nurses are ready to show just how vital they are to the hospital’s operation. In Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 19, a tense meeting between the nurses and hospital chief Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) ended in frustration, escalating into a rare fallout between Goodwin and her longtime friend, charge nurse Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barrett). The saga intensifies in the upcoming episode, where Maggie quietly takes the lead in organizing a nurse sick-out, becoming what the episode titles, “The Invisible Hand.” The resultant effect will see Gaffney in disarray, as shown in an earlier teaser and the newly released images of Episode 20.

As previewed in the earlier teaser, nurses at Gaffney begin calling out sick en masse,...

The on-screen rivalry between Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and Newman (Wayne Knight) is one of the funnier aspects of "Seinfeld." Newman lives down the hall from Jerry in the same apartment building, and he works as a mail carrier. For reasons that are never revealed, Newman and Jerry hate each other with a fiery passion. Jerry infamously greeted his neighbor with a "Hello, Newman" that was dripping with loathing and animosity. The character was introduced off-screen and was originally voiced by "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David, but was eventually played by Knight, who gave a sublime comedy performance. Newman first appeared on screen in the season 3 episode "The Suicide". 

Newman was a series semi-regular, appearing in 44 episodes of the show. This was only a small fraction of "Seinfeld," however, seeing as it lasted 180 episodes over the course of its nine seasons. Some of the show's fans felt that Knight, a comedy veteran,...

John Lithgow has shared his thoughts on the current entertainment landscape in America, describing the arts as in "crisis". He attacked Donald Trump's second term as one of the main causes of the turmoil.

Variety reports that Lithgow gave an impassioned speech at the Olivier Awards in London on Saturday where he spoke out against President Trump's recent takeover of the Kennedy Center, a historic theater in Washington, D.C. "Our administration has done some shocking, destructive things, but the one that grieves me most is taking over the Kennedy Center," Lithgow lamented. "Well, [the state of the arts is] really in crisis now. First there was coronavirus, now there’s this."

While Lithgow's take is a highly political one, the famous actor — who will portray Dumbledore in HBO's new Harry Potter series — did manage to find some optimism in the current state of things that rings undeniably true. "It gives us all something to fight for,...

Nick Frost ought to start practicing his best, “Yer a wizard, Harry” in the mirror.

The British actor is nearing a deal to play Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series, according to our sister site Deadline.

More from TVLineThe White Lotus' Natasha Rothwell Teases Big Twists in Season 3's Final Episodes: 'Audiences Are Going to Be So Surprised'The White Lotus Somehow Gets Even More Shocking With a Big Boat RevealThe White Lotus Stars Preview the Fallout From [Spoiler]'s Surprise Hookup: 'It Feels Like Middle School'

“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,...

The esteemed John Lithgow has won two Tony Awards for his work on Broadway, and has been nominated twice for Oscars for his heart-wrenching work in Terms of Endearment and The World According to Garp. But despite his continued success in dramas like last year’s Conclave, Lithgow claims the most joyful years of his professional life were spent as goofy alien Dick Solomon on the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.

“It was the six happiest years as an actor,” Lithgow said this week on the Smartless podcast. “Just interacting with this great writing staff, the 3rd Rock staff was so terrific and it was so inane.”

Lithgow loved the experience of flying by the seat of his comedy pants, “just spending all your time figuring out the funny,” he explained. “And entertaining a studio audience on just three days rehearsal. You get a fresh script the next week.

John Lithgow is one of those rare actors who can make you laugh, cry, and sleep with the lights on, and sometimes, he does it all in the same role. Many of us know him as the Trinity Killer from Dexter, where he seemed bone-deep terrifying.

John Lithgow in Dexter | Showtime Networks

The role permanently altered how people saw him, but it’s also because they don’t know that he’s had a masterclass of a career. Now, he’s stepping into the role of Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we can’t wait to see his iteration of the character.

Why John Lithgow is an unforgettable actor John Lithgow in Conclave | FilmNation Entertainment

John Lithgow as Arthur Mitchell, aka the Trinity Killer in Dexter season 4, wasn’t just a performance but an event! On the surface, his character was a devoted and churchgoing family man.

Just one year ago, French Stewart was riding high. The actor, best known for playing the squinty-eyed, lovably clueless alien Harry Solomon for six seasons on “3rd Rock From the Sun” was at the SXSW Film Festival, earning raves for his turn as an emotionally abusive father in the Tracie Laymon’s debut feature “Bob Trevino Likes It.” The film showed Stewart, usually cast as likable characters, in a whole new light. It closed out the festival by winning both the Jury Prize and the Audience Award.

Cut to a year later, after the film has won more than 25 awards on the fest circuit and Stewart is back to hitting red carpets for its upcoming premiere. But at the same time, the actor reveals there’s been a struggle – he hadn’t worked in a year and was concerned he might lose his SAG insurance for the first time in his decades-long career.

John Lithgowhas made a name for himself by playing memorable characters like Winston Churchill in The Crown, Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock From the Sun, and Arthur Mitchell in Dexter. While his face is instantly recognizable, his voice is also a unique part of his identity, and the proof is in 2001's animated film Shrek. When viewers saw Shrek, many recognized Eddie Murphy as the voice of Donkey, and some were also quick to recognize Lithgow as the voice of the villainous tyrant Lord Farquaad. Although the character made quite an impression in the movie, the actor admits that he didn't think the movie was going to that big a deal. He thought he was giving voice to a "Saturday morning cartoon."

Lithgow is in the spotlight nowadays because of his confirmed participation in the Harry PotterTV reboot. He's set to play Hogwarts' headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the series. Overnight,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Resident Alien is a sci-fi adventure mystery comedy-drama series created by Chris Sheridan. Based on the comic book of the same name by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, the Syfy series is set in a small Colorado town, and it follows an alien who crash-lands on Earth and takes on the form of a vacationing physician after killing him. His mission is to destroy Earth, but after living amongst humans, he begins thinking and feeling like them. Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn, and Elizabeth Bowen. So, if you loved the sci-fi elements, interesting stories, and entertaining characters in Resident Alien, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

3rd Rock from the Sun (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – NBC

3rd Rock from the Sun is a...

Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow reveals that he almost missed out on his role in a five-time Oscar-winning movie due to scheduling conflicts with Footloose. Lithgow first rose to prominence with a role in Brian De Palma's Obsession before scoring his breakout role in The World According to Garp, for which he received an Oscar nomination. His filmography is diverse, with the actor enjoying acclaim for early roles before branching into comedy with films like Harry and the Hendersons.Lithgow later expanded to villainous roles in movies like Cliffhanger and Raising Cain.

In addition to movies, Lithgow has enjoyed success on the small screen, winning Primetime Emmy Awards for roles in 3rd Rock From the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown. He remains one of the most prominent and respected film and TV actors in the industry. One of Lithgow's most beloved roles came as Reverend Shaw Moore in Kevin Bacon's musical drama Footloose,...

John Lithgow has revealed the story that changed his mind about one of his teen movies. Lithgow is a versatile actor who has held many roles in iconic film and television projects since he began his onscreen career in the 1970s. In addition to his Oscar-nominated performances in The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment, this includes roles such as the Trinity Killer in the Showtime drama Dexter and Winston Churchill in Netflix's The Crown, both of which won him Primetime Emmy awards. He also recently played a supporting role in the Oscar-winning 2024 movie Conclave.

While Lithgow is a performer with a number of serious dramatic performances under his belt, he has also held roles in quite a few movies and television shows designed for families, children, and teenagers. This includes his run as alien patriarch Dick Solomon in the six-season sci-fi sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun,...

John Lithgow, the Hollywood legend who was recently cast as Albus Dumbledore in the TV reboot of the Harry Potter franchise, has teased his version of the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster and one of the most important characters of the Wizarding World. While many still disagree over the casting of the show (and just the show in general), the Harry Potter TV series is happening, and Lithgow's remarks are pretty exciting for those on board.

Per Variety, the actor, who is best known for shows like The Crown and 3rd Rock From the Sun and movies like Shrek and Interstellar, was featured in an episode of their series Know Their Lines, where celebrities answer questions about their careers. Lithgow spoke about many of his roles in films and television. Nevertheless, he also teased his role in the Harry Potter TV reboot, saying that due to the complexity and scope, it will...

It's only a few months into the year, yet the New Zealand-made psychological horror film The Rule of Jenny Penis already poised to be the most effectively disturbing film of 2025. Starring two famous and well-established big names on stage and screen — Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow — and directed by actor James Ashcroft, The Rule of Jenny Pen follows the imperious, proud yet high-minded Judge Stefan Mortensen, who is rushed into a nursing home following a stroke that leaves his legs paralyzed and his mental faculties compromised. Surrounded by ailing figures and an ineffectual staff, Judge Mortensen finds himself up against the real boss of the home — fellow patient Dave Crealy (John Lithgow). Armed with a memory puppet dubbed "Jenny Pen," Crealy rules the roost by exploiting and abusing fellow patients, taking advantage of the elderly, frail and mentally incompetent, all seemingly unnoticed by the staff. Old habits die hard for the Judge,...

There aren’t many actors who can ricochet quite like John Lithgow. He’s a gifted comedian, warm and familial, in films like “Harry and the Hendersons,” and a steely supervillain matching Sylvester Stallone blow for blow in “Cliffhanger.” He’s a Machiavellian schemer, completely unknowable, in a film like “Conclave,” and he also madcaps his way through a wacky high-concept sitcom in “3rd Rock from the Sun.”

If there’s a unifying factor in most of Lithgow’s performances it’s his almost uncomfortable intensity. When he’s the victim, he’s the saddest victim. When he’s the bad guy, he’s the meanest bad guy. When he’s given carte blanche to go mad with power, he’s Dave Crealy in “The Rule of Jenny Penn,” which may very well be his creepiest performance since Brian De Palma’s “Raising Cain” — and that’s saying something.

“The...

HBO is slowly building out the cast list for its upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Most recently, it filled one of the most important roles in the entire franchise: Professor Albus Dumbledore, who will be played by Shrek star John Lithgow in the new series. Despite being a beloved actor who has starred in everything from Third Rock From the Sun to Star Wars, Lithgow's casting was seen as being controversial because he's American. Fans rushed to social media to complain about the casting, but Lithgow is putting everyone's minds at ease as he promises to do the character justice.

During an interview with Collider, to promote his new movie The Rule of Jenny Pen, Lithgow addressed the controversy surrounding his Harry Potter casting. When asked if he's started prep for how he's going to play Dumbledore, Lithgow said, "Not a lot, but he's certainly an Englishman." The actor revealed he...

Quick LinksA Psychologically Complex Role in 'Dexter'What Made the Role of Arthur Mitchell in 'Dexter' So Great?Why John Lithgow Would Make an Amazing Albus DumbledoreJohn Lithgow Is a Decorated and Multi-Talented Actor

Many of today's audiences may not realize just how accomplished an actor John Lithgowactually is. That's simply because he's often been happy to play secondary roles and supporting parts. As a result, it's easy to see him as just a familiar face that you may have seen in some famous films and television series while you're busy focusing more on the main stars in them. However, Lithgow actually has a formidable acting catalog and is far more accomplished than most modern audiences may ever realize.

A large part of that is down to the fact that some of his best work came early on in his career. However, he's now into his fifth decade as an actor,...

That’s Headmaster Lithgow to the rest of us.

Two weeks after it was reported that John Lithgow (3rd Rock From the Sun) was nearing a deal to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter series, the Emmy winner now appears to have confirmed he’ll portray the beloved Hogwarts headmaster.

More from TVLineThe White Lotus Recap: A Violent Shock Shatters the Tranquil MoodIndustry: Harry Lawtey to Exit HBO Drama After 3 SeasonsBlackpink's Lisa Talks Her White Lotus Acting Debut, Mook's Romance and Singing on the Show - Watch Video

“Well, it came as a total surprise to me,...

After reports that HBO was circling John Lithgow to portray Professor Dumbledore in its upcoming “Harry Potter” series, the actor has confirmed in a new interview that he is indeed taking the role. He expressed his excitement and nervousness at committing to such a role for so many years.

“It came as a total surprise to me. I got the phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision, because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid,” Lithgow told the fan site Screen Rant. “But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to ‘Harry Potter.'”

Lithgow was asked if he’s prepared to portray Dumbledore for seven seasons worth of television. Lithgow previously starred in six seasons of the sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun,” which...

Quick Links3rd Rock From the Sun Ended on a Tender NoteThe Second Ending Gave Dick the Last Laugh3rd Rock From the Sun Is an Underrated Gem

The 1990s spawned a number of impressive sitcoms, but fans often overlook the decade's most bizarre show; 3rd Rock From the Sun. First airing in 1996, the show focused on a group of aliens who are sent to Earth to observe the nuances of human behavior. While they consider the planet to be quite meek and boring at first, the Solomon family becomes accustomed to human life pretty quickly.

The sitcom ran for 6 seasons and managed to collect a wealth of awards and acclaim. When the finale aired in 2001, fans were pretty disappointed by the way things panned out. However, the show also offered an alternative ending, which audiences felt was much better suited to this off-beat sitcom.

3rd Rock From the Sun...

HBO is currently casting a TV show based on the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, with the intention of adapting them in more detail than the popular movies did. Do I really have to tell you what the Harry Potter books are about? There's a kid named Harry. He lives in a cupboard under the stairs in the home of his abusive aunt and uncle. He learns he's a wizard and is whisked away to learn his craft at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns about magic, love and friendship.

The Harry Potter movies starred Daniel Radcliffe as Harry and Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as Harry's friends Hermione and Ron. We've heard that HBO has found a new trio of kids to play these roles, but we don't know their names yet. But we have heard plenty about the adult characters. The latest news comes from Deadline,...

HBO’s series adaptation of “Harry Potter” may have found its Dumbledore. John Lithgow is close to closing a deal to portray the iconic character, according to multiple media reports.

The series is expected to begin filming this summer in Leavesden. Previously, all eight of the Warner Bros. “Harry Potter” movies were filmed in the English commercial area.

“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals,” HBO said in a statement to TheWrap.

The headmaster of Hogwarts was previously portrayed by Richard Harris in the film adaptations of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Michael Gambon then took over the role in the six other “Harry Potter” films, and Jude Law portrayed the character in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

John Lithgow is in final talks to play Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books.

Variety has confirmed Lithgow’s contention for the role with sources, though HBO commented: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

In the “Harry Potter” books and film adaptations, Dumbledore is the caring but mysterious headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is an elderly and powerful wizard who mentors Harry in his fight against the Dark Lord Voldemort. Richard Harris played Dumbledore in the first two “Harry Potter” films, while Michael Gambon took over the role after Harris’ death.

Lithgow, a beloved actor for decades, is known for films including “The World According to Garp,” “Terms of Endearment” and “Footloose” and...

“Hi, I’m John Lithgow. I’ve been given this impossible task to pick out Blu-rays of films that have meant something to me in my life. All of them great.”

Could this possibly be a more inviting intro to a Criterion Closet video? We think not.

While the “Conclave” star’s Cardinal Tremblay may be a snake in some vestments, beloved performer John Lithgow is nothing but a charmer who’s love of cinema is as deeply rooted as his long career. Tracing back to its beginnings, Lithgow shared that one of his early selections, the Richard Harris-led drama “This Sporting Life” directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey, had a direct connection with one of his first breakout roles.

“There is a play that David Storey wrote which is basically derived from ‘This Sporting Life.’ I played a role in it when its American premiere...

Super Bowl Lix on Sunday will bring in the biggest TV audience of the year — and, following the game, the biggest audience ever for Fox’s game show The Floor.

Those are pretty much immutable facts in the TV landscape. The Super Bowl is, by enormous margins, the most-watched single telecast of any given year. And the show that airs after it gets a big audience as well, typically placing among the top five entertainment telecasts on network or cable TV that season.

The post-game slot has been a showcase for decades, but it wasn’t always that way. In the early years of the Super Bowl, whichever network aired the game (CBS and NBC shared NFL rights back then) went to its regular Sunday night programming afterward — in three of the Super Bowl’s first four years, that meant an episode of Lassie on CBS.

Eventually, though, broadcasters figured...

William Shatner is best known for his role as the Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek. Starring in the original series with Leonard Nimoy, Shatner became a pop culture icon for his performance as the charismatic and casanova captain. He went on to reprise the role in six more films and is forever associated with Star Trek.

However, his first Emmy nomination came not for the sci-fi series he is best known for. He received his first nomination for his guest role in John Lithgow’s sci-fi comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun where he played the human form of the alien named Big Giant Head. Despite its legacy, Shatner revealed that he regretted the role to this day.

William Shatner regretted playing his legendary role in a sci-fi series that was not Star Trek William Shatner in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount

William Shatner was the epitome of...

A Max original, The Pitt is a medical drama that chronicles one 15-hour shift in the emergency room of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. Gritty and authentic, each episode in the show covers a single hour of the shift beginning at seven in the morning. With medical students and interns in tow on their very first day, Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle), the show’s senior attending, navigates the organized chaos that’s become synonymous with working in the ER.

A realistic representation of medical personnel on the frontlines, the series isn’t made for those with a queasy stomach. At any given moment, viewers could witness a simple flesh wound or the inside of someone’s chest cavity. It is an ER after all. Given the scope of the series, The Pitt has an extensive cast, which audiences might recognize from other television shows and movies. Below are the...

Jason Alexander was bummed out on a recent episode of his Really No Really podcast. He’d recently discovered that Armin Shimerman, an actor who had guest-starred on the Seinfeld episode “The Caddy,” had a terrible experience with the cast. “I hated them. Hated them,” Shimerman reportedly said during a Q&a at a fan convention. “They were non-communicative, ugly, non-responsive. What’s the word? Insular.”

Maybe Alexander could have chalked it up as a “somebody having a bad day” complaint if not for hearing a similar comment from another guest who just happened to be a former New York Met and National League Mvp. “Keith Hernandez said I in particular was — I think the word was standoffish,” said Alexander.

Was the Seinfeld cast really that rude to guests? For confirmation, Alexander turned to his podcast guest Wayne Knight, the comic actor who frequently played Newman on the sitcom. “I...

The success of the Dexter franchise doesn’t seem to be slowing down with the recent record-breaking premiere of Dexter: Original Sin. A Trinity Killer prequel is reportedly in development that will focus on the Arthur character made famous by John Lithgow in Season 4 of Dexter. The Trinity Killer got his name as he was known for killing people in groups of three.

Lithgow, who won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of the Trinity Killer, has some advice for the next actor who ends up playing the role. “Just be on his side. (Laughs) Not an easy thing to do, with the Trinity killer, but be on his side,” Lithgow told Screen Rant.

In late 2024, it was reported that Lithgow, who is known for his roles in The Crown and 3rd Rock from the Sun, would return to the Dexter franchise to narrate the Trinity Killer series, akin to...

William Shatner kicked off his career as a promising young actor in the company of the prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario. But when, despite strong notices for his performances, he failed to springboard to stardom like his Canadian colleague Christopher Plummer, Shatner lowered his sights and embraced the philosophy of a working actor. This isn't a knock. He shined in his "The Twilight Zone" episodes, and was superb as a racist interloper who stokes violence against the Black residents of a small town in Roger Corman's "The Intruder." However, he also took so many guest roles in television that he ran the risk of driving down his value by dint of his ubiquity.

Three seasons and several great episodes of "Star Trek" fixed that for Shatner, but throughout the 1970s he become closely associated with a kind of laughably serious, easily parodied manneredness. The ne plus ultra of...

Diane Delano, the busy character actor who portrayed Officer Barbara Semanski on CBS’ Northern Exposure and the mean science teacher Bobbi Glass on The WB’s Popular, has died. She was 67.

Delano died Friday of cancer in her home in Sherman Oaks, her friend Stepfanie Kramer announced.

“She was big and bold and brought her sharp wit and perfect comic timing to every role,” Kramer said. “Her earthy and raucous presence enabled her to always own the room. She was one of a kind.”

As Rhonda Vasek, Delano had a romantic liaison with Douglas Brackman Jr. (Alan Rachins) in 1987 on the second season of NBC’s L.A. Law, and she guest-starred on such other shows as Falcon Crest, Cop Rock, Step by Step, Third Rock From the Sun, ER, Monk, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, The Bridge, 2 Broke Girls and PEN15.

Delano recurred as Officer Semanski on 12 episodes over...

Diane Delano, best known to TV audiences for her roles as Barbara Semanski on CBS’ Northern Exposure, and Roberta “Bobbi” Glass on The WB’s Popular, has died of cancer at the age of 67, TVLine has confirmed.

“She was big and bold and brought her sharp wit and perfect comic timing to every role,” Delano’s friend Stepfanie Kramer said in a statement to Deadline. “Her earthy and raucous presence enabled her to always own the room. She was one of a kind.”

More from TVLineJill Jacobson, Falcon Crest Alum, Dead at 70The Mod Squad Star Michael Cole Dead at 84Thom Christopher,...

With the 1990s serving as an influential decade that changed the landscape of television, many classic shows premiered one after another and left a lasting impact on viewers; where several of these hit shows highlighted memorable characters, crafted strong storytelling and delved into themes that hadn’t been expanded upon until the 1990s. Moreover, the type of show known as the sitcom had already been a staple of American television but continued onward into the 1990s with dozens of popular sitcoms becoming a part of pop culture.

Given the sheer volume of television shows made, the sitcom has continually resonated with viewers, as well as entertained fans throughout the years. However, despite many hit sitcoms that sustained a proper legacy, other successful shows of the era were, in more ways than one, forgotten about in the public consciousness. At the same time, the sitcoms that were left behind in the 1990s still feature wonderful comedy,...