Hollywood was buzzing recently after a veteran actor might have accidentally dropped a big hint about HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.
During a red carpet interview for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Ralph Fiennes—famous for his iconic portrayal of Voldemort—was asked about who could possibly take over the sinister role in the new adaptation.
In response, Fiennes mentioned Cillian Murphy, the Peaky Blinders star, praising him as a “very good choice.”
His comments, caught on video and shared widely on TikTok, showed him appearing a little flustered as he tried to clarify his statement, leaving fans wondering if the casting was actually confirmed or if he had just assumed it.
Did Ralph Just Reveal a Secret?
It seems likely that Fiennes was referencing the widespread speculation that Cillian Murphy might take on the role.
Industry betting experts had placed Murphy at 6/1 odds to become Voldemort in the series.
However, Murphy himself quickly shut down the rumors during an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.
He admitted that his children had shown him the online chatter but insisted he had no insider knowledge.
“Also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does,” Murphy joked, acknowledging Fiennes’ legendary status and hinting that fans shouldn’t take the red carpet comments too literally.
Fan Reactions to the Voldemort Rumor
The Harry Potter fan community had mixed feelings about the possibility.
Some argued that an actor of Murphy’s stature, who recently won a Best Actor award, wouldn’t sign on for a TV remake.
Others suggested that if he were cast, he would likely deny it, whereas Fiennes might accidentally spill the beans before any official announcement.
Fans were quick to weigh in online:
- “He’d nail the role, but there’s no way he’d want to commit to that for so long.”
- “Cillian would’ve knocked it out of the park if it happened.”
- “Someone who just won Best Actor isn’t doing a TV show book remake.”
The debate only intensified the anticipation for HBO’s fresh take on the wizarding world.
Confirmed Cast Brings Excitement
While Voldemort’s recasting remains unconfirmed, several other key roles in the series have been officially announced.
John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer takes on Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu is cast as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost will portray Rubeus Hagrid.
The young leads—Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton—will take on the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the “wonderful talent” of the trio and thanked the thousands of children who auditioned.
They emphasized that discovering so much young talent was a “real pleasure.”
Meet the Second Harry
Another twist for the series involves a second child actor, Isaac Geut, who has been hired as a body double for Dominic McLaughlin’s Harry.
Isaac shares the young wizard’s signature look—thick black hair and boyish charm—and is already stepping in for scenes when Dominic isn’t available.
According to insiders, Isaac is so convincing in appearance that producers are considering using him more extensively than previous stand-ins in the Harry Potter films.
This clever move ensures continuity and allows filming to proceed smoothly without overburdening the main actor.
The Magic Ahead
With a mix of seasoned actors and fresh faces, HBO’s Harry Potter series is shaping up to be an ambitious reimagining of the beloved story.
Whether Cillian Murphy will don the mantle of Voldemort remains a tantalizing mystery—but one thing is certain: the series is generating plenty of excitement and speculation, keeping fans eagerly on the edge of their seats.
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