In what appears to be an accidental leak, legendary actor Ralph Fiennes may have revealed the identity of his successor for the iconic role of Lord Voldemort in HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter television series. The Hollywood star, whose portrayal of the dark wizard in the original film franchise is etched into cinematic history, seemingly named Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy as the actor who will take on the mantle.
A Red Carpet Revelation
Fiennes made the surprising comments while attending the red carpet premiere for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. According to reports from The Sun, when asked by journalists about who should fill his shoes as Voldemort in the upcoming HBO production, Fiennes responded with what seemed like insider knowledge.
"I'm told they are already filled, aren't they? I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very good choice," Fiennes reportedly stated.
In a TikTok video capturing the moment, Fiennes appeared slightly panicked after making the statement, adding further intrigue to his comments. "I've already said, I think Cillian Murphy is very good. I think they've cast it, haven't they? You don't know?" he questioned, suggesting he might have revealed information not yet meant for public consumption.
Fan Reaction and Casting Speculation
The apparent revelation sent Harry Potter fans into a frenzy across social media platforms. One enthusiastic supporter commented, "This is amazing news," while another added, "Oh man this is a good casting actually." The response highlights the intense interest surrounding the casting decisions for the television adaptation, which promises to bring J.K. Rowling's beloved books to the small screen with a fresh perspective.
However, uncertainty remains about whether Fiennes was genuinely revealing confirmed casting information or simply commenting on widespread industry speculation. Murphy himself has previously distanced himself from rumours linking him to the role during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast.
"I don’t know anything about that," Murphy stated when questioned about the Voldemort rumours. He went on to praise Fiennes' original performance, noting "it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend, so good luck to whoever’s gonna fill those shoes."
The New Generation of Hogwarts
The HBO series represents a complete reimagining of the Harry Potter universe, with an entirely new cast taking on the central roles. The production has confirmed several key casting decisions that will introduce fresh faces to the magical world:
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
Additional casting announcements have revealed that Paul Whitehouse will appear in the reboot alongside established British talents including Bertie Carvel, Johnny Flynn, Bel Powley, Daniel Rigby, and Katherine Parkinson.
A Single Returning Star
In a notable exception to the complete recasting, only one actor from the original film franchise will reprise their role. Warwick Davis is confirmed to return as Professor Filius Flitwick, providing a tangible link between the cinematic and television adaptations of Rowling's magical universe.
The series promises to explore Harry's story at Hogwarts and beyond with greater depth and detail than the films could accommodate, drawing directly from the rich source material of Rowling's seven novels. With production details largely kept under wraps, Fiennes' red carpet comments have provided one of the first substantial glimpses into the casting process for what promises to be one of television's most ambitious fantasy adaptations.
