Credit: HBOA new Lord Voldemort is already stalking the halls of Hogwarts Castle.
Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of Voldemort in the Harry Potter films was more bone-chilling than anyone expected, and the actor who’s now set to follow that performance has their work cut out.
Known as Tom Riddle in his more human form, the Dark Lord is the main villain of the series; a powerful wizard who seeks immortality while Harry Potter is the only one who stands in his way.
Now, Harry Potter is being reimagined as an HBO series that’s set to span multiple seasons — reportedly one for each of JK Rowling’s books.
The first official teaser trailer premiered earlier this year, revealing several new cast members and their respective characters, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter. But Voldemort is missing.
Related: Has HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Cast a Female Voldemort? Here’s Everything We Know
Voldemort’s debut in Harry Potter comes via Quirinus Quirrell — played by Luke Thallon (Patriots) in the HBO reimagining — when he possesses the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and manifests on the back of his head as a result of being in a weakened, disembodied state.
Several big names have been linked to the role by fans and media outlets since the HBO series was announced, most notably Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer).
Earlier this year, however, per Collider, HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys said they hadn’t cast Voldemort, while also shutting down any casting rumors. “No, we have not,” he said, 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.”
Bloys’ comments came amid rumors that Warner Bros. had also been auditioning women for the role. Actresses including Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) have been floated as possible contenders, but neither HBO nor Warner Bros. has commented.
However, fans have already been given another Voldemort actor since Ralph Fiennes.
Related: HBO ‘Harry Potter’s Female Voldemort Casting Splits Fanbase Down the Middle
Marvel Star Becomes the New Voldemort
Last year, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) actor Matthew Macfadyen was cast as Lord Voldemort in another official reimagining — Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, a new adaptation with a large ensemble cast that brought the wizarding world back to life in audio form.
Macfadyen is joined by several actors, including Riz Ahmed (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as Severus Snape, Hugh Laurie (House) as Albus Dumbledore, and Michelle Gomez (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Minerva McGonagall.
Who Will Play Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter?
For now, it remains to be seen who will play Voldemort in the HBO series following Ralph Fiennes‘ performance in the Harry Potter films. But if Snape’s divisive recasting is anything to go by, it feels inevitable that the new Voldemort actor is also likely to cause waves within the fandom.
In fact, controversy has become the norm where HBO’s Harry Potter is concerned. Recently, Superman (2025) actor Nicholas Hoult was cast as the new Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2; however, Hoult swiftly exited the project, citing “scheduling conflicts,” and Game of Thrones star Kit Harington was confirmed as his replacement.
Interestingly, Harington previously voiced Lockhart in the Harry Potter: Full-Cast Audio Editions, similar to Arabella Stanton, who voices Hermione in the first three volumes of the audio series and is now set to play the character in live action in the upcoming HBO reimagining.
On September 1, Deadline reported that The Full-Cast Audio Editions has sold more than 5 million copies.
Other actors who have reprised their roles include Warwick Davis, who returns as Professor Filius Flitwick in the HBO series, Tom Felton, who plays an older Draco Malfoy in the Broadway version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and now Rupert Grint, who will play the older Ron Weasley on stage.
That all leads us to wonder whether Matthew Macfadyen will end up donning the robes as Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter, especially with Kit Harington now transitioning from audio to live action as Gilderoy Lockhart.
The first season, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, premieres on HBO on Christmas 2026.
What do you think of Matthew Macfadyen taking on the role of Voldemort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
