‘Harry Potter’ With Tilda Swinton as Voldemort Would Be a Must-Watch

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I wasn’t sure about HBO making a new Harry Potter series, like a lot of other fans. It’s not just the author’s controversial views, though those are a big concern. I grew up with Potter – I was eleven when the first movie came out! Now, not even forty, it’s about to be retold in a seven-season show that aims to be very true to the books. While this is likely good for J.K. Rowling financially, many longtime Potter fans feel it’s too soon to revisit a story that’s only been around for 25 years. However, if they cast a really talented actress – one of Marvel’s best, even – as Voldemort, I might just have to tune in.

The show’s casting is starting to look really interesting. We’ll see new actors like Dominic McLaughlin, Alistair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, alongside established names such as John Lithgow and Janet McTeer playing Dumbledore and McGonagall. However, one casting choice is particularly exciting – if Arabella Stanton were to play Lord Voldemort, it would be a remarkably daring decision and instantly make the HBO series a must-watch.

Tilda Swinton as a Gender-Fluid Voldemort Would Be Incredible ‘Harry Potter’ Casting


Marvel Studios

Currently, it’s just speculation, but Tilda Swinton is being talked about as a potential choice to play Voldemort, and the idea is incredibly exciting. For a while, rumors suggested Cillian Murphy of Peaky Blinders was in discussions for the role, but he later said this wasn’t true in an interview. Swinton’s name has also been circulating, especially now that HBO is finishing up the first season. The idea is surprising, given that Voldemort is traditionally a male character, but Swinton is well-known for playing characters who aren’t defined by a specific gender. She famously played a gender-shifting character in Orlando, as well as an androgynous angel in Constantine, a non-binary sorcerer in Doctor Strange, and even an elderly man in Suspiria. Very few actors can move between genders so seamlessly, which makes Voldemort a role Swinton seems perfectly suited for.

Giving Tilda Swinton the role of Voldemort would let her showcase her villainous talent – she was fantastic as the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. However, she’d have a tough act to follow, stepping into a role so memorably played by Ralph Fiennes. Even years after the last Harry Potter film, Fiennes’ performance is still widely discussed and admired – his appearance, mannerisms, and voice were truly chilling. Swinton would face the unique challenge of creating her own version of the character, potentially portraying Voldemort as male or gender-fluid, depending on the creative vision. I’m excited by the thought of her tackling that, and by the opportunity to explore Voldemort’s character in more depth with the longer runtime this new series allows. While anything seems possible with this new take on Harry Potter, there are unfortunately a few significant reasons why Swinton might not even consider the role.

J.K. Rowling May Have Already Ruined Tilda Swinton’s ‘Potter’ Prospects


HBO Max

Tilda Swinton famously declined the role of Sybil Trelawney in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a part that eventually went to Emma Thompson. She explained to The Scots Magazine in 2016 that her issue wasn’t with the role itself, but with the Harry Potter universe in general. Swinton dislikes films that glamorize boarding schools, believing they are a harsh environment for children and don’t offer a beneficial education. This feeling comes from her own difficult experience attending West Heath boarding school in London, which she has described as “Hell.” That negative experience alone was enough to make her avoid a project like Harry Potter, which is largely set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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J.K. Rowling’s public statements against transgender rights could be a major issue for Tilda Swinton, potentially deterring her from involvement in any new Harry Potter projects. Rowling has used her X account to share views that many find controversial, causing some Potter fans to stop supporting her work in solidarity with the trans community. Swinton herself has publicly shown support for trans women, and as an openly queer actress, she’s likely to prioritize standing with the LGBTQIA+ community over working with Rowling. There’s also the question of whether Rowling would even consider a woman, let alone a non-binary actor, for the role of Voldemort, given her views on gender. The upcoming series is planned as a very close adaptation of the books, and while some fans are already upset about casting choices like a Black Severus Snape, a female Voldemort could be seen as a step too far – especially considering Rowling’s own controversial stance.

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2026-01-12 03:33