Credit: HBOThe first official trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is finally here, and it promises a truly magical return to the wizarding world, this time with a new ensemble cast.
Philosopher’s Stone boasts a huge cast that includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. But front and center are the new Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry trio, Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively.
Warwick Davis is the only actor from the Harry Potter films who has returned, reprising his role as Professor Filius Flitwick.
Several characters appear in the new trailer, which you can watch below:
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Is Lord Voldemort in the New Harry Potter Trailer?
While we even get a first look at Paapa Essiedu (Gangs of London, Black Mirror) as Severus Snape — who looks great and is sure to deliver his own unique take on the role made famous by the late Alan Rickman in the film series — there’s one villainous character who’s missing.
Lord Voldemort, known in his more human form as Tom Riddle, is nowhere to be seen in the trailer. This makes sense, of course, as he doesn’t really appear in the Philosopher’s Stone — not in his full form anyway. The dark lord’s debut in Harry Potter comes via Professor Quirinus Quirrell — played in the new series by Luke Thallon (Patriots) — having attached himself to the back of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher’s head due to his weakened state.
Do We Know Who’s Playing Him?
While HBO’s Harry Potter has cast dozens of actors into iconic roles (those listed above are merely a handful), it has yet to name the actor who’ll be slipping into Voldemort’s robes.
Names like Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) continue to do the rounds; however, the actor has denied any involvement, despite his 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) co-star Ralph Fiennes, who of course played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, seemingly and inadvertently hinting that Murphy could be the new dark lord in a recent interview.
Related: ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series’ Female Voldemort May Have Already Been Cast
Meanwhile, rumors that Warner Bros. has been auditioning men and women for the role have circulated online. Actors such as Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) have been floated as possible contenders, however, neither HBO nor Warner Bros. have commented on these rumors.
Last year, a source told Rednian Intelligence that an actor had already been cast as Voldemort, but that the plan was reportedly not to publicly name them until the show airs.
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However, we now know that an actor hasn’t been chosen.
Per Collider, while promoting HBO Max’s recent U.K. launch, HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys was asked whether they had cast Voldemort yet, to which 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.”
So, Voldemort has yet to be cast, but one thing’s for sure — whoever takes up the mantle is likely to surprise fans, especially if the new Severus Snape casting (Paapa Essiedu) is anything to go by. It’s also still possible that a female version of the dark lord is on the cards, but that currently remains a rumor and nothing more.
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 series 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!