A new casting rumor has sent the Harry Potter fandom into a frenzy. Cillian Murphy, the Oscar-nominated star of Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders, is reportedly being eyed for a major villain role in the upcoming HBO reboot series of JK Rowling’s classic magical tale. However, it won’t be Voldemort, as rumors recently suggested.
Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow in Batman Begins – Max
If rumors are to be believed, Cillian Murphy is close to landing the role of Professor Quirinus Quirrell in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot. The scoop comes from industry insider Daniel Richtman, who shared the rumor on his Patreon, claiming that Murphy is the frontrunner to play the ill-fated Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Despite the buzz, Warner Bros. has yet to confirm or deny the casting.
Murphy’s name has been linked to the Harry Potter franchise for months, but previously, it was for a different villain altogether: the series’ primary antagonist, Lord Voldemort.
Earlier speculation suggested that the reboot’s producers were considering Murphy to play the Dark Lord, a rumor that gained traction when Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed Voldemort in the films, publicly endorsed the idea.
Ralph Fienes as Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Warner Bros. Pictures
During a December 2024 interview with Andy Cohen, Fiennes responded to the casting chatter, stating, “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah.”
The new rumor, however, shifts Murphy from Voldemort to another of Harry’s earliest foes. Quirinus Quirrell, who was portrayed by Ian Hart in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, served as the series’ first major antagonist, hosting Voldemort on the back of his head and ultimately meeting his end during a climactic showdown with Harry. While Quirrell was a relatively minor figure in the original films, HBO’s promise of a decade-long, faithful adaptation of Rowling’s novels suggests the character could receive a more layered and expanded arc.
This potential casting has sparked both excitement and debate among fans. Many have praised Murphy’s talent and ability to bring depth to complex characters, citing his chilling performances in Peaky Blinders, Batman Begins, and A Quiet Place Part II.
MIchael Gambon as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix – Max
The Harry Potter series, overseen by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, is set to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027, with filming to take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The reboot has already made waves with several rumored casting choices, most notably John Lithgow, who is reportedly in final talks to play Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow’s potential casting has caused an uproar, as he would be the first American to portray a major character in the Harry Potter universe—a departure from J.K. Rowling’s longstanding preference for British actors.
Other rumored castings include Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) for Severus Snape, a choice that has fueled heated discussions due to the possibility of race-swapping the character. Sharon Horgan and Lesley Manville are reportedly contenders for Professor McGonagall, while Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) is a fan-favorite candidate for Hagrid. Meanwhile, over 32,000 hopefuls have submitted audition tapes for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2010), Warner Bros. Pictures
With Murphy’s name now in the mix and the debate over Lithgow’s Dumbledore still raging, HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is proving to be one of the most talked-about reimaginings in recent memory. Whether these casting rumors materialize or not, one thing is clear: the series is already casting a powerful spell over the entertainment world.
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