Harry Potter Reboot Voldemort Casting Addressed by House of the Dragon Star

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The production of the first season of HBO’s Harry Potter TV series is underway, with key characters from the Wizarding World being brought to life by talented actors – this includes the main trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. However, the sinister character of Lord Voldemort, famously portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the movies, has yet to be cast. With excitement building for an official announcement, there’s been plenty of speculation about who might take on this iconic role. One name that’s been suggested is Matt Smith, known for his work in fantasy with House of the Dragon. Recently, Smith himself has shared his thoughts on the subject.

During an interview on TODAY to publicize his upcoming movie Caught Stealing, Smith was questioned about speculation online regarding him taking up the role of Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. “Is anyone capable of portraying [Voldemort] after Ralph? He was exceptional,” Smith replied. “I believe stepping into the shoes of the remarkable Ralph Fiennes is a challenging task for any actor. So, I wish whoever gets that role luck. It won’t be me.

Ralph Fiennes Will Cast a Large Shadow Over HBO’s Voldemort

At one point, Ralph Fiennes contemplated turning down the role of Voldemort, but eventually changed his mind and played the character across four Harry Potter films. Now, it’s difficult to envision any other actor embodying the iconic antagonist; Fiennes consistently gave memorable portrayals as the dark wizard, capturing his sinister persona perfectly. The actor had an imposing on-screen presence that made Voldemort a formidable adversary, adding tension and drama to the movies.

It seems clear that Smith is no longer a contender, and his reasons are apparent. The Harry Potter films were hugely successful upon their initial release and continue to be relevant cultural touchstones today. In particular, the cast of these movies remain highly favored by fans. When one recalls Voldemort, memories of Fiennes’ chilling performances in the films quickly surface. Unlike the films, HBO’s Harry Potter series will delve deeper into the books (each season adapts one novel), but this doesn’t diminish the fact that the movies will cast a long shadow over the TV series, especially during its early stages.

HBO has assembled an impressive cast for the upcoming Harry Potter series, boasting stars like John Lithgow and Nick Frost, among others. However, it’s a challenging task to breathe new life into Voldemort while staying true to the original portrayal, a balance that requires finesse. Smith, known for his roles as villains (having agreed to play the antagonist in Star Wars: Starfighter), prefers not to take on the challenge of following Fiennes’ iconic performance. This delicate balance is something he’d rather avoid.

Some sources indicate that Voldemort has already been chosen for the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO, with the unveiling scheduled for when the show airs. Regardless, speculation about who will portray the antagonist is intriguing. It’s worth considering that the Harry Potter production will demand a considerable time investment from all cast members, which could make busy actors like Tom Cruise or Cillian Murphy hesitant to join due to their high-demand schedules. Talented actors such as these often have numerous creative projects vying for their attention, and taking on the Harry Potter role might restrict their options for other endeavors. Nevertheless, someone is bound to think they possess the skills to deliver an exceptional performance as Voldemort. Although following in Ralph Fiennes’ footsteps may be tempting for some, there will inevitably be another contender who feels confident in their ability to capture the role effectively.

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2025-08-26 21:10