AN OSCAR-winning actor has been scouted as the next Dumbledore in the brand new HBO Harry Potter TV series.

Mark Rylance currently stars as Thomas Cromwell, Henry VII’s advisor, in the BBC period drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light – based on Hilary Mantle’s Tudor trilogy.

But, according to media sources, he is also being considered for the part of the mighty wizarding head of Hogwarts.

If the rumours are true, then he is set to soon follow in the footsteps of Sir Michael Gambon and Richard Harris, according to Variety.

They said: “Variety understands that Warner Bros. Television hasn’t yet entered into negotiations with the actor, but the studio has reached out to gauge interest and availability.”

A rep for HBO said: “We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation.

“As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals.”

This speculation comes after Warner Bros. launched an open casting call earlier this autumn for kids aged 9 to 11 to find the latest talent.

However, it is understood that they are seeking Hollywood heavyweights to play Hogwart’s professors and the other adults in the cast.

In the original films, Richard Harris was cast as Professor Dumbledore, the late Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall and Alan Rickman as Professor Snape.Mark is an ideal candidate as an acting legend who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 Stephen Speilberg’s Bridge of Spies.

He also appeared in the 2016 animated film The BFG, based on the book by Roald Dahl, and in Dunkirk among others.

HBO is looking to adapt all seven novels by J.K Rowling.

It will seek to explore different aspects of the characters and plot, probing much deeper than each two-hour film does.

The series will be out in 2026.