Michael Gambon to star in new miniseries `Casual Vacancy`

Los Angeles: Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in the `Harry Potter` film series`, has been cast to star in JK Rowling`s brand new miniseries `Casual Vacancy.`The 73 year-old actor, who took over the role of the Hogwarts headmaster after the death of Richard Harris in 2004, leads a cast that includes Keeley Hawes, Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan, Julia McKenzie and newcomer Abigail Lawrie, reported Variety.

The upcoming miniseries, is a television adaptation of Rowling`s 2012 bestselling book, selling over 6 million copies worldwide, and will run for 3 episodes that will be one hour long. Filming is set to begin on July 7 in South West Wales. Rowling`s first adult-themed novel since the `Harry Potter` saga is based in the quiet and quaint English village of Pagford. The novel addresses themes of class, politics, and several issues involving criminal activity such as drugs, prostitution and rape. Gambon has landed the role of Howard Mollison, owner of the Pagford delicatessen, and McKenzie is set to play his wife, Shirley. It isn`t yet known if any of the other `Harry Potter` cast members will feature in Rowling`s next film production, the Harry Potter spin-off `Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.`