Cillian Murphy recently shot down speculation pointing to him possibly joining HBO’s Harry Potter series as Lord Voldemort. In an interview, the Irish actor made it clear that he wasn’t taking on the iconic villain, originally played by Ralph Fiennes, in the films starring Daniel Radcliffe. As of writing, it’s currently unclear who is playing the Dark Wizard and Potter’s archenemy.
Cillian Murphy denies playing Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter series
The Oppenheimer star put a stop to swirling rumors suggesting he is playing Lord Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter series.
“I’m categorically not,” Cillian Murphy told The Times. “Can you make that the headline? But then existing in this world? Talking about yourself, going on f—— red carpets? It’s not healthy if you start to believe this shit, and I’m really bad at it too.” He added that he wasn’t skilled at “being a personality,” stressing he was simply “an average person.”
This isn’t Murphy’s first time dismissing the Lord Voldemort casting rumors. Previously, on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said that there was nothing official behind the rumors, which he noted his kids would show him sometimes. “I don’t know anything about that,” Murphy added.
The Peaky Blinders star then noted that it would be “very hard” to measure up to Ralph Fiennes, calling the latter “an absolute acting legend.” He subsequently wished luck on the actor who would be following Fiennes’ footsteps and taking on the Dark Lord.
However, Fiennes has given Murphy his blessing to succeed him as Voldemort. In an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2024, he expressed his support for the fancast, calling the latter “a fantastic actor.” The Conclave actor added, “I actually think that’s a wonderful, wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian.”
Meanwhile, the makers have reportedly cast Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. He will show up in “several episodes,” according to Redanian Intelligence, which cited a source close to production. The outlet further stated that HBO planned to keep the casting a secret until the show’s first season premiered in 2027 (via Comic Book Resources).
Notably, Voldemort is reportedly not the only role Cillian Murphy has been linked to. Renowned industry scooper Daniel Richtman shared on his Patreon that the Academy Award winner was reportedly in consideration to play Professor Quirinus Quirrell in the HBO series.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on SuperHeroHype.
