Lord Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes has praised casting a woman as the next He Who Must Not Be Named.
Few villains loom as large over modern fantasy as Voldemort. Introduced as the central antagonist of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga, the dark wizard — born Tom Marvolo Riddle — built a reputation for terror long before readers ever saw him fully appear.
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Voldemort’s story begins decades before Harry Potter enters Hogwarts. Once a gifted student obsessed with power and immortality, Riddle gradually abandoned his humanity through dark magic, eventually transforming himself into the pale, snake-like figure that became one of fiction’s most recognizable villains.
The character reached global audiences through the Harry Potter film series, where Ralph Fiennes portrayed Voldemort across multiple installments beginning with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). His performance leaned heavily into the character’s cold theatricality, blending aristocratic menace with calculated cruelty.
Now, attention has shifted to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television reboot — and the mystery of who will play Voldemort next.
Despite persistent speculation, the role has not yet been officially cast. Irish actor Cillian Murphy was widely rumored to be in contention, particularly after Fiennes himself sparked discussion about the idea earlier this year. Murphy later shut down the rumors, denying any involvement in the project.
Other names have surfaced as well. Audiobook narrator Matthew Macfadyen has been mentioned in fan circles, while some reports claim HBO may even be auditioning both men and women for the role — a possibility that has ignited intense debate online.
Among the most talked-about candidates is Tilda Swinton. The Doctor Strange and Chronicles of Narnia star has been repeatedly floated as a potential Voldemort, with rumors suggesting HBO could be considering a radical reinterpretation of the character.
The suggestion has divided fans, but Fiennes himself appears fully on board.
Ralph Fiennes Supports New Voldemort Casting
During an appearance on The Claudia Winkleman Show, reported by BBC News, Fiennes explained that he had previously been approached about potentially returning as Voldemort. The conversation happened “some years ago,” and the actor said he would have been open to revisiting the role.
However, no further discussions ever followed. Fiennes now believes “that ship has sailed,” suggesting a return to the Harry Potter franchise is unlikely.
The conversation then turned to speculation about who might take over the role in HBO’s upcoming television adaptation.
When asked about longtime fan speculation surrounding Tilda Swinton, Fiennes voiced strong support for the idea, saying the Doctor Strange and Chronicles of Narnia actress would be “fantastic” in the part.
The endorsement comes as speculation continues to swirl around the role. HBO executives have kept details tightly under wraps, and no official casting announcement has been made.
HBO has also played down the ongoing speculation around the role. Speaking last month, network chief Casey Bloys said no final decision had been made and suggested the studio had not yet settled on who might portray Voldemort in the series.
What Would JK Rowling Think of a Female Lord Voldemort?
The conversation around a female Voldemort has also sparked controversy for another reason: the ongoing debate surrounding Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling.
Rowling has faced years of criticism for her views on gender identity, particularly comments widely perceived as critical of transgender rights. Casting a woman — or potentially gender-bending the franchise’s most infamous villain — would add another complex layer to an already contentious cultural discussion.
For now, HBO’s reboot will begin with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, meaning Voldemort’s presence will initially be limited.
In the first story, the Dark Lord survives only as a weakened spirit after his failed attempt to kill Harry as a baby. He secretly inhabits Professor Quirrell’s body while searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, which could restore his physical form.
As the series progresses, however, Voldemort becomes the saga’s central antagonist, gradually rebuilding his power before launching a full-scale wizarding war against Hogwarts and the wider magical world.
Meanwhile, speculation continues around another key casting rumor tied to the villain’s past.
Some fans believe Adolescence actor Owen Cooper may have been cast as a young Tom Riddle in Season 2 of the HBO series, potentially also later appearing in flashbacks that explore the character’s early life and descent into dark magic.
The rumor remains unconfirmed, but the show’s long-form format means it could explore Voldemort’s origin story in far greater detail than the films ever managed.
