Cillian Murphy as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter Series at HBO? - Ralph Fiennes Amplifies Rumor

The casting rumors for the role of Lord Voldemort are not new; however, each time we hear a new name. This time, the actor who played the Dark Lord in the film series has hinted at a name that is not new - Cillian Murphy's name is back in conversation for taking up the role of Lord Voldemort.

In an interview, actor Ralph Fiennes stated, "I've already said I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very, very good choice. I think they've cast it, haven't they? I don't know, I thought they had." Although the statement didn't confirm that Murphy is officially for the role, his statement can be given extra weight, as Murphy has already been speculated for it. Ralph Fiennes is not expected to reprise his role, as the series aims for a fresh cast, though he expressed support for successors.

Actor Cillian Murphy has previously denied his involvement in the series when the rumors first erupted. "No, my kids show it to me occasionally, but no, I don’t know anything about that... Good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes," said Murphy on a podcast.

Earlier this month, Tilda Swinton was also rumored for the same role. The rumor suggested that HBO is eyeing the Oscar-winning actress for a gender-swapped "Dark Lady" version of Voldemort. Other rumored names include Cynthia Erivo, Jamie Campbell Bower, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Paul Bettany.

Luke Thallon has already been cast in the role of Quirinus Quirrell, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. For those who have seen the first film, Prof. Quirrell was secretly hiding the remains of the dark lord in Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts, although we don't know if it will be the same in the TV show as well.

In the film franchise and the books, Lord Voldemort doesn't appear in his full human form until the fourth part. Casting rumors erupted after a few leaks suggested that flashback scenes involving the character are already being filmed for earlier seasons. Voldemort does make an appearance in Chamber of Secrets - but in his younger version of Tom Marvelo Riddle. Murphy can be a perfect choice for the characters as he can portray both a younger and an older version of the Dark Lord. Considering that the TV show will be much longer than the films, we can expect more flashbacks and more scenes involving both Voldemort and Tom Riddle.

HBO's Harry Potter Season 1 is currently filming in London, UK, and is expected to continue till the mid of this year; soon after that, the second season is also expected to film. The first season's cast has already been confirmed. Harry Potter will debut in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max.

The first season will adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, following 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter as he discovers his wizard heritage, attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, befriends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and confronts the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Below is the complete cast of the 8-episode first season:

Dominic McLaughlin in the role of Harry Potter
Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
Warwick Davis as Professor Filius Flitwick
Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas
Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
and William Nash as Gregory Goyle
Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout
Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns
and Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey
Leigh Gill as Griphook
 Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch
Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander

Francesca Gardiner wrote the series and serves as executive producer. HBO, along with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television, will have Mark Mylod executive produce and direct many episodes of the series. Executive producers for the series include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, as well as David Heyman of Heyday Films.

The series will be a faithful adaptation of author and executive producer J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter book series, with an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fans, full of fantastic detail and much-loved characters that Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years. Each season will take viewers on a journey across the wizarding world, introducing new and old fans to Harry Potter and his remarkable adventures. Hans Zimmer and Bleeding Fingers will compose a new score for the HBO Original HARRY POTTER series.