Credit: Inside the MagicHBO’s Harry Potter has already started to reshape the Wizarding World for a new generation.
The first official trailer for Season 1 — which we now know is titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — premiered online last month, offering fans a glimpse of the new Hogwarts, while introducing John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and the main trio — Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
Watch the trailer below:
Harry Potter Casting Backlash
However, while many Potterheads cheered the actors and their appearances, some fans continue to criticize the decision to cast Black actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, who was played in the eight Harry Potter films by the late Alan Rickman. Just before the trailer was released, Essiedu told The Times how he has even been receiving death threats from racist fans via social media, which has reportedly forced HBO to tighten security on set.
Following the trailer, HBO aired a behind-the-scenes special titled Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic Special, which gave viewers a close look at the series’ production design, costumes, and the meticulous world-building that sets this version apart from the films.
Hogwarts itself is darker, more atmospheric, and surprisingly grounded. We also get an even closer look at some of the actors in costume, including Essiedu as Snape. But despite all these reveals, one wizarding world character remains conspicuously absent: Lord Voldemort.
Related: HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Finally Shares First Look at Iconic Villain
Who’s Playing Lord Voldemort?
Although no actor has been officially cast as the Dark Lord yet, speculation has been running wild over the past few months. Last year, according to trusted industry scooper Daniel Richtman (via SFFGazette.com), “For the Harry Potter show, they’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort, so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the series.”
Naturally, that rumor ignited online debates and fueled fan theories. Unsurprisingly, reactions to the rumor of a female version of the character have ranged from outrage to disbelief. But if that rumor holds, the possibilities for a “Lady Voldemort” are pretty exciting.
Related: HBO ‘Harry Potter’s Female Voldemort Casting Splits Fanbase Down the Middle
Female Voldemort Rumors Persist
Two names that have surfaced repeatedly are Cynthia Erivo (Wicked, Wicked: For Good) and Tilda Swinton (2005’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
But has a female Voldemort already been cast? Well, it seems the answer is no, but now, many fans are convinced that the character will indeed be portrayed by a woman, not only due to HBO’s willingness to challenge expectations with Snape’s casting, but because of comments recently made by actor Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the film series.
During an appearance on The Claudia Winkleman Show (as reported by the BBC), Fiennes revealed that he had once been asked about returning to the franchise himself, a conversation he said took place “some years ago.” This was likely at a time when the HBO reboot wasn’t in active development, but either way, the actor went on to explain how that opportunity never arose and now believes “that ship has sailed.”
However, Fiennes was then asked who might replace him as the most dangerous dark wizard that ever lived, and he said that Tilda Swinton would be “fantastic” in the role.
Whether or not Voldemort will be played by a woman in the HBO series remains to be seen. If it does happen, other potential female actors — based on their intensity, presence, and villainous chops — could include Eva Green (Casino Royale), Ruth Negga (Ad Astra), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox), Cate Blanchett (The Lord of the Rings), Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!), Jessica Chastain (Interstellar), and even Helena Bonham Carter, who, of course, played the deadly Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films.
Last year, a source told Rednian Intelligence that an actor had already been cast as Voldemort but that their identity would be kept a secret until the show airs. More recently, a report claimed that Adolescence (2025) actor Owen Cooper had been cast as the series’ young Tom Riddle.
Recently, however, per Collider, while promoting HBO Max’s U.K. launch, HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys laid all rumors to rest. When asked whether they had cast Voldemort yet, he replied, “No, we have not,” adding, “As a rule, I would say any rumors – don’t [believe them]. I don’t even know who we’re casting. I really don’t! I would take everything you read with a grain of salt.”
While he, or she, has yet to be named, one thing’s for sure — whoever takes up the mantle of the Dark Lord is likely to divide fans, especially if Snape’s casting is anything to go by.
As for seeing Fiennes reprise his role as Voldemort, it wouldn’t feel too out of the ordinary, as one actor from the films has already returned: Warwick Davis as Professor Filius Flitwick.
HBO’s Harry Potter is written and executive-produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (HBO’s Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve). J. K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films are also onboard as executive producers. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres on HBO on Christmas 2026. The season consists of eight episodes.
Are you excited about the new Harry Potter series? What do you think of the trailer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!