Acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes may have just let slip one of the biggest casting announcements of the year. Fiennes was recently asked at a red carpet event who he thought should succeed him in the role of Harry Potter’s arch-nemesis, Lord Voldemort in the upcoming HBO TV series. To the surprise of many, Fiennes appeared to reply with certainty that Cillian Murphy had been cast as Voldemort.
Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Warner Bros. Pictures
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In a video posted on X, a reporter pressed Fiennes for an opinion on who should fill his shoes. The actor initially seemed confused by the question, and indicated that he believed the part had already been cast, saying, “I already said, I think Cillian Murphy’s very good, a very good choice.”
Cillian will never be free of the Voldemort rumors, no matter how much he denies it, will he? 😭 pic.twitter.com/bbS4zpNrcA
— michi³⁰ᴵ⁰⁷ (@gofckapineapple) January 23, 2026
HBO has yet to make an official announcement, though Cillian Murphy has been a fan favorite to play Voldemort since the series was announced. Whether or not Murphy has been cast, the timing of Voldemort’s appearance in the story complicates matters.
Casting Voldemort
While readers of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels got their first glimpse of “He Who Must Not Be Named” in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Voldemort doesn’t regain his full physical form until the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Since each season of the new series is expected to follow one of the books, it’s possible that HBO has yet to cast the role.
In the books, Voldemort is described as tall and unnaturally gaunt, with snake-like features. When Fiennes played the character, the filmmakers used a combination of CGI and practical make-up effects. His performance and appearance were widely praised, setting a high standard for any future portrayals.
Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow in Batman Begins – Max
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That Cillian Murphy has Fiennes’ support as the new Voldemort may be a good sign. Murphy is known for playing cold villains in films like Red Eye and Batman Begins, and compelling anti-heroes in television series like Peaky Blinders. Many fans feel that he has both the physical traits and acting range to bring Voldemort to life on screen.
However, Murphy has repeatedly denied any discussions with HBO about him playing Voldemort. He has also spoken about his respect for Fiennes and the challenge of matching his work. “I mean, also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend. So, good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes,” he said in an interview.
A Series Under Scrutiny
Given the prevalence of rumors that Cillian Murphy was in talks to play Voldemort, it’s possible that Fiennes was simply mistaken. In the video, Fiennes appeared to backtrack when he realized that the interviewer hadn’t heard the news. “I think they’ve cast it, haven’t they?” he said. “Oh, I don’t know. I thought they had,” he added, as the reporter expressed hope that he was right.
The HBO series is already under heavy scrutiny after the controversial decision to race-swap Severus Snape with the casting Paapa Essiedu. An official announcement of Cillian Murphy as Voldemort would likely come as welcome news to some Potter fans—especially since there have been rumors that HBO was considering casting a woman for the part.
Paapa Essiedu performing in Royal Shakespeare’s Hamlet – YouTube, LOWRY
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Time will tell if Fiennes’ information was correct, or if HBO decides to go in a different direction. But casting Cillian Murphy as Voldemort would have the original actor’s seal of approval and generate enthusiasm among the fans. HBO may want to take note.
What would you think of Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? Let us know in the comments!
