Ralph Fiennes May Have Accidentally Revealed Cillian Murphy Cast as Voldemort in HBO Harry Potter Show

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Ralph Fiennes, the well-known actor, may have accidentally revealed a major casting decision. While at a recent public event, he was asked who he thought should play Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter’s enemy, in the new HBO series. Surprisingly, Fiennes seemed to confidently state that Cillian Murphy had been chosen for the role.

During an interview shared on X, a reporter asked Ralph Fiennes who he thought should play James Bond next. Fiennes appeared surprised by the question, and mentioned he believed Cillian Murphy would be a strong fit for the role, stating, “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? 😭

— michi³⁰ᴵ⁰⁷ (@gofckapineapple) January 23, 2026

HBO hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but Cillian Murphy has long been a popular choice among fans to play Voldemort in the upcoming series. Even if he is cast, figuring out when Voldemort will appear in the story presents a challenge.

Casting Voldemort

Although J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series introduces “He Who Must Not Be Named” (Voldemort) in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, he doesn’t fully reappear in physical form until the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Because the new TV series is expected to cover one book per season, the actor to play Voldemort might not have been chosen yet.

The books depict Voldemort as very tall and extremely thin, with features resembling a snake. When Ralph Fiennes brought the character to life, the filmmakers used both computer-generated imagery and traditional makeup. His performance and how he looked were highly acclaimed and created a benchmark for anyone else playing Voldemort in the future.

Okay, so the buzz is that Cillian Murphy might be taking on Voldemort, and the fact that Ralph Fiennes – the original Voldemort – seems to approve is definitely encouraging. I’ve always been impressed with Murphy; he’s fantastic at playing those chilling, detached villains – think of his work in films like Red Eye and even early in Batman Begins. But he’s also proven he can nail those complex, morally grey characters, like his phenomenal work in Peaky Blinders. Honestly, looking at him, and considering his acting chops, I think he could really capture the essence of Voldemort – he seems to have both the look and the skill to pull it off.

Despite rumors, Murphy has consistently stated he never talked to HBO about playing Voldemort. He’s also expressed admiration for Ralph Fiennes’ performance and acknowledged how difficult it would be to follow such a strong portrayal. As he explained in an interview, ‘Ralph Fiennes is a phenomenal actor, and it’s incredibly challenging to try and match work of that caliber. Whoever takes on the role will have a tough job.’

A Series Under Scrutiny

There were rumors that Cillian Murphy was being considered for the role of Voldemort, so it’s possible Ralph Fiennes was misinformed. In a video interview, Fiennes seemed to realize the interviewer wasn’t aware of any casting news and quickly corrected himself. He initially said, “I think they’ve cast it, haven’t they?” but then added, “Oh, I don’t know. I thought they had,” when the reporter expressed optimism that his initial statement was true.

The upcoming HBO series is facing criticism for casting Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, a decision that changed the character’s race. Many Harry Potter fans would likely be pleased to hear Cillian Murphy is expected to play Voldemort, especially given rumors that HBO was considering a female actor for the role.

It remains to be seen if Ralph Fiennes’ comments about who should play Voldemort were accurate, or if HBO has other plans. However, casting Cillian Murphy would be a choice approved by the original actor and would likely excite fans. HBO should definitely consider this possibility.

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2026-01-28 15:56