Cillian Murphy has firmly denied rumors claiming he will play Lord Voldemort in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series. During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Murphy stated that he has no knowledge of being cast as the dark wizard, clarifying the speculation around his involvement.
“No. No. Genuinely — I mean, my kids show me occasionally, but I don’t know anything about that,”
Murphy said when asked about the rumors.
“Also, 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.”
Murphy Comments on Following Ralph Fiennes’ Iconic Portrayal
Murphy expressed admiration for Ralph Fiennes, who famously played Voldemort in the original Harry Potter films. He acknowledged the challenge of succeeding such a well-regarded performance. When podcast host Horowitz teased that Murphy would need to alter his distinctive nose to match Voldemort’s snake-like nostrils, the actor humorously responded, “I’m very attached to it!”
Details About the HBO Harry Potter Series and Voldemort’s Appearance
Production is currently underway for the first season of HBO’s adaptation, which will cover the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone across eight episodes. Since Voldemort only appears in a limited form in the first book, the character is expected to remain largely unseen or minimally represented during the initial season. Voldemort’s full corporeal return does not occur until the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, suggesting a potential late-series introduction.
Given this structure, Voldemort’s full appearance likely won’t occur until season four, with the series potentially waiting to cast the part until then. This pacing aligns with the novels’ sequence and allows time to build the narrative around the dark lord’s resurgence.
Ralph Fiennes’ Views on the Voldemort Role and Murphy’s Suitability
Ralph Fiennes, who will co-star with Murphy in the upcoming film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, previously expressed support for Murphy as a possible Voldemort. On Watch What Happens Live, Fiennes said,
“I actually think that’s a wonderful, wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian.”
However, Fiennes also indicated openness to reprising the role himself. In a 2022 interview with Variety, he stated,
“Sure, of course. No question about it.”
The inclusion of Warwick Davis reprising his role as Professor Flitwick in the HBO series suggests continuity with original casting in some parts, keeping options open for veteran actors like Fiennes.
Murphy’s Reflections on The Bone Temple and New Director Nia DaCosta
In the same podcast discussion, Murphy spoke briefly about his involvement in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, who took over the series from Danny Boyle. Murphy said, “This is Nia‘s movie,” and described the experience as “quite emotional” given the long time since the original film’s release.
“Danny produced it, but she was amazing. I mean, I was only on it for a brief period, but yeah, it was quite emotional to go back and to think how bloody long ago [the original 28 Days Later] was.”
Upcoming Releases for Fans to Anticipate
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled to premiere in theaters on January 16, 2026. HBO’s Harry Potter series, adapting the beloved novels in a season-by-season format, is expected to debut in 2027. The show aims to revisit J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world with fresh storytelling and expanded narratives, while carefully managing iconic character portrayals such as Voldemort’s.
