The upcoming HBO reboot of the *Harry Potter* series has confirmed several key cast members, but one pressing question remains: who will portray Voldemort? With the first season set to adapt *The Philosopher’s Stone*, it appears the Dark Lord’s full physical presence may not emerge immediately.
According to reports from EpicStream, the show is likely to take a different approach by utilizing a voice actor to represent Voldemort initially. This aligns closely with the original story, where Voldemort is only revealed during Harry’s confrontation with Professor Quirrell, with his face appearing on the back of Quirrell’s head. Although there has been no official announcement regarding the full casting of Voldemort, insider Daniel Richtman has indicated that the production has already secured a voice actor for the character.
Given that HBO plans to adapt one novel per season, viewers should not expect to see a fully realized Voldemort until *The Goblet of Fire*. This suggests that it could be several years before the character makes a complete on-screen return. Nonetheless, speculation has intensified following remarks made by actor Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the original film series. During a recent event, Fiennes hinted that the role may have already been cast, mentioning Cillian Murphy as a “very good choice” before expressing uncertainty about whether this information was confirmed.
Cillian Murphy has emerged as a popular fan favorite for the role, largely due to his compelling performances in projects like *Peaky Blinders* and his Oscar-winning role in *Oppenheimer*. Despite this, Murphy stated on the *Happy Sad Confused* podcast that he had no knowledge of any casting decisions related to Voldemort. He referred to Fiennes as “an acting legend” and expressed good wishes to whoever eventually takes on the character.
At present, there is no confirmed actor attached to the physical role of Voldemort in HBO’s reboot. Current insights suggest that Season 1 may focus solely on a voice performance, remaining true to the structure of the first novel. Consequently, it is possible that a formal casting announcement for Voldemort may be intentionally delayed.
Casting Details for the Reboot
As the casting for the reboot continues to take shape, several significant roles have been filled. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout have been announced as Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively. The esteemed John Lithgow is set to portray Albus Dumbledore, with Paapa Essiedu taking on Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost stepping into the role of Hagrid. Additionally, renowned composer Hans Zimmer has been confirmed to create an original score for the series.
With the reboot expected to premiere in early 2027 and span a decade, HBO is pacing its major reveals carefully. As of now, the identity of Voldemort’s next actor remains one of the reboot’s most intriguing mysteries. Until HBO makes an official announcement, fans will continue to speculate about the Dark Lord’s return and the actor chosen to embody one of literature’s most iconic villains.
