The upcoming HBO remake of Harry Potter has filled most of the main roles for its first season, but speculation continues about who will play Lord Voldemort. While Voldemort doesn’t have a large presence in the first book—appearing mainly on the back of Professor Quirrell—the TV series is rumored to be casting a prominent actor for the part earlier than the films did. The movies didn’t feature a well-known actor as Voldemort until Ralph Fiennes appeared in The Goblet of Fire, but reports suggest the show will take a different approach, and one actor keeps being mentioned as a likely choice.
Ever since the idea of recasting Voldemort, Cillian Murphy has been a popular fan choice – and for good reason, many believe he’d be ideal for the role. Recent comments from Ralph Fiennes seemed to hint that Murphy might actually be taking on the part. Now, Murphy has finally responded to the speculation in an interview with The Times, stating:
“I’m categorically not. Can you make that the headline?”
Who Could Play Lord Voldemort In The Harry Potter Remake (& Should He Be Cast So Soon?)
Cillian Murphy would have been a fantastic pick for the role, but it’s understandable why he declined. Fresh off an Oscar win and starring in a blockbuster movie that earned nearly $1 billion, he’s a very high-profile actor. He’s done TV before, but he’s likely a bigger star than the producers have been looking for in this new take on Harry Potter.
However, it’s also possible they haven’t cast Murphy as Voldemort yet because the show is mirroring the films’ approach. In the first movie, The Philosopher’s Stone, they used one actor for the voice (Ian Hart) and another for the physical portrayal (Richard Bremmer), and may be planning a similar strategy.
If that’s true, it becomes more believable that Murphy could take the role, as it’s still a few years off and a lot can change. The same goes for Matt Smith, who’s currently busy with House of the Dragon. While it doesn’t fit his schedule now, he has a good working relationship with HBO, often plays villains well, and will be available after House of the Dragon ends in 2028, making it a possibility later on.
When thinking about who could play Voldemort, I think Damian Lewis, Paul Bettany, Mark Strong, and Matthew Macfadyen (who narrates the Audible versions) would all be excellent choices. They could each capture the character’s power, coldness, and evil. Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston are often suggested by fans, and they’d both be strong contenders, but their busy schedules might make it difficult for them to take on the role.
How soon HBO chooses an actor for this role depends on their storytelling approach. If they stick closely to the book and movie, there’s not much need to cast anyone yet. However, early set photos hint the show will depict the night Voldemort killed James and Lily Potter. While they could still show Voldemort as a shadowy figure, this might be when the actor is revealed.
The challenge is that an actor might be cast now but not have much to do until much later in the show, potentially Season 4, which makes it hard to picture how this will work. However, the show’s casting has been strong so far, so there’s confidence they’ll find the right person when the time comes.
The Harry Potter remake is expected to debut on HBO and HBO Max in 2027.
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2026-03-02 18:10