The Harry Potter TV show has commenced principal photography in the UK, and while the majority of characters have been cast, we still don’t know who if fan-favorite Cillian Murphy will be playing Lord Voldemort.
Warner Bros. has been drip-feeding fans information about the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show for months now, with casting news released on what felt like a daily basis until all the main players were announced.
With shooting of the series now under way, we’re also getting images, first of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, then of Nick Frost’s Hagrid.
Rumors are now circulating that Voldemort has also been cast, but that the identity of the actor in question is being kept under wraps. Though one name keeps coming up in relation to the Dark Lord.
Cillian Murphy is hot favorite to play Voldemort in new Harry Potter
He Who Must Not be Named is being played by an actor must not be revealed, according to Redanian Intelligance. The website claims that “Voldemort is already cast and will appear in several episodes, but HBO has no plans of announcing his casting and want to keep him secret until the season airs.”
As recently as June 2025 however, Cillian Murphy was the bookies favourite to bag the role, with some sites quoting odds of 10/11 for the Oppenheimer star to play Potter’s nemesis.
Bookmakers aren’t the only people backing the Oscar-winner, as Ralph Fiennes – who played Voldemort in the movies – thinks he’d be a fine choice, telling Bravo (as per Variety): “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian.”
The director of the first two films – Chris Columbus – is also behind him, telling Entertainment Weekly: “Cillian is one of my favorite actors, so that would be amazing.”
As for the person in charge, when Warner Bros TV Boss Channing Dungey was asked if Cillian Murphy was a possibility for Voldemort in April 2025, she said somewhat cryptically: “I have no comment, no comment, no comment.” Which only added fuel to the fire.
What the fans are saying
Social media seems to be behind Cillian Murphy playing the Dark Lord on the show, with one fan writing: “Cillian would be the fantastic choice for Voldemort he can easily pull that vibe.”
Another says: “I hadn’t even thought about this, but Cillian is the only person,” while a third posted that “he’s a really good, very versatile actor. I could see him playing Voldemort. He’s perfect.”
An underrated horror movie where Murphy plays the villain is also being referenced, with one fan claiming: “He’s been giving me nightmares since I first watched Red Eye, so I’ll support this,” and another adding: “Yes please. He’s brilliant in everything he’s in. Very menacing in villain roles. His performance in Red Eye still makes me want to kick his ass.”
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