Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? Actor reacts to Harry Potter casting buzz

Cillian Murphy has addressed speculation linking him to the role of Lord Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter series. The actor, who recently won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, clarified that he is not part of the HBO-backed project.

In a conversation on Josh Horowitz’s podcast Happy Sad Confused, Murphy dismissed the casting chatter with a simple “No.” He explained that although his children occasionally introduce him to the Wizarding World films, he has no involvement with the new series.

The actor also acknowledged the legacy of Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the original films. “It’s 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,” Murphy said, underlining that stepping into such an iconic villain’s role would be a daunting task.

The podcast host teased Murphy about one challenge of the character—losing his nose for the part. The actor laughed it off, replying, “I’m very attached to it!”

Meanwhile, HBO’s reboot of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is underway in England, with production for its first season already in progress. The story is planned to unfold over eight episodes, offering a longer and more detailed look at J.K. Rowling’s world compared to the films.

The series has begun shaping its cast. Dominic McLaughlin has been confirmed as Harry Potter, with Nick Frost stepping in as Hagrid. Other names attached include Arabella Stanton, Alastair Stout, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Katherine Parkinson.

Notably, the character of Voldemort does not appear until the later part of the saga, surfacing prominently in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This means the immediate focus will remain on the early adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione before the Dark Lord’s eventual arrival.

The much-anticipated show is slated to arrive on digital platforms in early 2027. For now, Murphy has put to rest all talk of his casting, leaving the door open for another actor to take on one of literature and cinema’s most recognisable villains.