Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? Ralph Fiennes’ Comments Fuel Casting Rumors for ‘Harry Potter’ Series

Published 01/24/2026, 8:57 AM EST

The Harry Potter series is officially moving toward its 2027 debut, promising a dive into the Sorcerer’s Stone and beyond. Central to this journey is Lord Voldemort, the formidable antagonist whose shadow looms over every season of the story. And the Wizarding World might have just found its new Dark Lord.

The secret did not come from a press release, but from the original villain himself. Ralph Fiennes may have inadvertently revealed that Cillian Murphy has been cast as the most feared wizard for the upcoming HBO reimagining.

Ralph Fiennes hints at Cillian Murphy for the dark lord

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The legendary actor who brought He-You-Know-Who to life recently sparked a firestorm of speculation during an interview on the red carpet. When asked about his successor, Ralph Fiennes suggested that the decision had likely already been finalized behind closed doors.

“Well, I'm told they're already filled, aren't they?” Ralph Fiennes stated. Fiennes specifically pointed toward Cillian Murphy, noting that the Oppenheimer star would be a brilliant fit for the role.

"I’ve already said I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very, very good choice," Fiennes remarked during the discussion.

This endorsement carries weight, as Fiennes understands the physical and emotional demands of playing such a chilling character. Ralph Fiennes' comments regarding Murphy on social media were not his first on the matter. He previously told Watch What Happens Live that he would be entirely in favor of Cillian Murphy taking over the mantle.

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The potential casting of Cillian Murphy aligns perfectly with his increasingly busy professional schedule for the coming years, even though HBO has not yet confirmed the news.

The rising trajectory of Cillian Murphy through 2027

If the Irish actor takes on the role of Voldemort, it will be amidst a series of high-profile returns to his most famous franchises. He is currently preparing to revisit the world of Peaky Blinders in the upcoming film titled The Immortal Man. This Netflix feature is set to conclude the story of Tommy Shelby against the backdrop of World War II in March 6, 2026. He also reprised his role as Jim in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple earlier this month and starred in Netflix's Steve.

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These commitments show that Cillian Murphy is currently one of the most sought-after talents in the industry. Balancing a massive HBO series like Harry Potter alongside these cinematic sequels would solidify his status as a modern icon. Fans are now eagerly awaiting official word to see if he will truly embrace the dark magic.

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Do you also want to see Cillian Murphy as the dark lord in the new Harry Potter series? Let us know in the comments below.  

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Soma Mitra

843 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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