Ralph Fiennes just dropped a bomb on the red carpet that has half the internet convinced Cillian Murphy will be the next Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter series, despite the Irish actor denying the rumors time and time again.
It all happened when a reporter asked Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the original films, who should fill his shoes in the television adaptation scheduled for 2027.
he British actor’s response was revealing: “Well, I’m told they’re already filled, aren’t they?” But he didn’t stop there. He added: “I’ve already said I think Cillian Murphy is very good, very good, very good choice“.
The awkward moment came when Fiennes seemed to realize he might have said too much, quickly adding: “Oh, I don’t know I thought they had“.
The video of the exchange went viral on social media, with fans speculating that the Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders star is already confirmed for the role, only that HBO is keeping the casting under maximum secrecy.
The problem: Murphy has denied everything
The irony is that Cillian Murphy has repeatedly dismissed these rumors. In September 2025, during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he made his position clear: “No, my kids show me it occasionally, but no, I don’t know anything about that”.
He also acknowledged how difficult the task would be: “It’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend. So, good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes“. He even joked about being “very attached” to his nose, referencing Voldemort’s characteristic noseless appearance.
Murphy denied his involvement again in October 2025 while promoting his Netflix film Steve. When Variety asked him about the online speculation, he responded categorically: “No, no, no. It would be very hard to follow Ralph Fiennes“.
When it was suggested that’s exactly what someone about to play Voldemort would say, Murphy laughed: “Ha! No, I don’t play those games“.
What we know about the series
HBO confirmed in 2023 that the new Harry Potter series will be “a faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s books, with each season dedicated to one of the seven original books.
The project, scheduled to premiere in 2027, has already announced its golden trio: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Also confirmed are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
However, the role of Voldemort remains the most enigmatic. Some reports suggest the casting is already finalized but being kept secret, while others claim auditions are still being held, including considerations for both male and female actors.
Fiennes had already given Murphy his blessing for the role back in December 2024, when he stated on Watch What Happens Live: “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah“.
Other names that have been floated for the role include Matt Smith from The Crown and Doctor Who, who also dismissed the rumors, and Matthew Macfadyen from Succession, confirmed only as the voice of Voldemort in Audible’s new Harry Potter audiobooks.
The big question remains: Did Fiennes actually leak confidential information or is he simply fueling fan rumors? HBO hasn’t officially commented on Voldemort’s casting, and until the series premieres in 2027, the mystery of who will be the next Dark Lord will continue generating wild speculation across the internet.
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