The entertainment world has been set alight by what appears to be a major casting slip from a Hollywood heavyweight, concerning one of television's most anticipated upcoming projects.
Red Carpet Revelation Sends Shockwaves
During a recent red carpet interview for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, veteran actor Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed the dark wizard Lord Voldemort across the Harry Potter film franchise, seemingly let slip crucial casting information for HBO's forthcoming television adaptation. When questioned about who might succeed him in the iconic villainous role, the 63-year-old Oscar nominee offered a response that has since gone viral.
'I'm told they are already filled, aren't they? I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very good choice,' Fiennes stated, before appearing to realise his potential misstep. In video footage shared widely on TikTok, the actor then turned to his team in apparent panic, adding: 'I think they've cast it, haven't they? You don't know? I don't know. I thought they had.'
Murphy's Previous Denial and Fan Speculation
This apparent revelation directly contradicts previous statements from Cillian Murphy himself. The 49-year-old Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer star had previously addressed the swirling rumours during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast. Murphy acknowledged that his children had shown him the online speculation, but firmly stated: 'I don’t know anything about that.'
He went on to praise Fiennes' legendary performance, noting the difficulty of following such an act: 'Also, 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.'
Industry betting experts at OLBG (Online Betting Guide) had previously placed Murphy at odds of 6/1 to be cast as Voldemort, indicating significant speculation within entertainment circles.
Fan Reactions and Casting Doubts
Across social media platforms like Reddit, Harry Potter enthusiasts have expressed considerable scepticism about Murphy's potential involvement. One fan commented: 'Someone who just won Best Actor two years ago is not doing a TV show book remake.'
Another offered a more nuanced perspective: 'I also don't think he will be Voldemort, but that being said, if he was, he would deny it, and Fiennes would be more likely to accidentally let it slip than Cillian would. Fiennes and he just worked together, and it could have come up, and Fiennes just wasn't aware it wasn't announced.'
Further concerns were raised about the long-term commitment required, with a third fan noting: 'He’d nail the role but there’s no way he’d want to commit to that for so long.' Despite the doubts, many acknowledged Murphy's potential suitability, with a fourth remarking: 'Cillian would've knocked it out of the park.'
Confirmed Casting and Production Details
While the Voldemort casting remains officially unconfirmed, HBO has announced several key roles for the series. The ensemble includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
In May 2025, the production revealed its three young leads: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the 'wonderful' talent of the newcomers, thanking the 'tens of thousands of children who auditioned' during what they described as an 'extraordinary search.'
Production intricacies have also emerged, including the revelation that a second child actor, Isaac Geut, has been employed as a body double for McLaughlin. An insider told The Sun: 'He's got the perfect mop of thick black hair and boyish looks that’s needed to play the very young Potter. In fact he looks so much like him that producers are talking about using him more extensively than previous stand-in actors that have appeared in the movies.'
The HBO series, based on J.K. Rowling's beloved book series, promises to deliver a fresh interpretation of Harry's journey through Hogwarts and beyond, though the mystery surrounding Voldemort's casting continues to captivate fans worldwide.
