Ralph Fiennes makes his pick to play Voldemort in upcoming 'Harry Potter' series, and we love his choice

At the time of writing, the network has not revealed who plays the evil wizard in the TV series
A screenshot of Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort in ' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' (Cover image credit: Warner Bros.)
A screenshot of Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort in ' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' (Cover image credit: Warner Bros.)

Ralph Fiennes had an interesting choice to play Voldemort in the upcoming HBO 'Harry Potter' series. While the 'Skyfall' star made it clear that the "ship had sailed" for him to reprise his role as Potter's archnemesis, he recommended another British actor to play the role: Tilda Swinton. At the time of writing, the network has not revealed who plays the evil wizard in the TV series, though Swinton and Cillian Murphy were rumored as players in the mix.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Tilda Swinton attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Tilda Swinton attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Image credit: Getty Images | Photo by Amy Sussman)

Speaking on 'The Claudia Winkleman Show', the veteran actor had a nomination when he was asked about playing Voldemort again. "I remember being asked the question once we’d shot the total film series, would I reprise the part, and this was some years ago. I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to,'" Fiennes said. "But then nothing’s happened, and I think that ship has sailed." He further added, "But I’ll tell you, Tilda Swinton was mentioned somewhere as being a contender, and I think she would be amazing." His comments come on the back of Murphy quashing the rumor of playing the Dark Lord. "I don’t know anything about that," Murphy said earlier on Josh Horowitz’s 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. "Also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend, so good luck to whoever’s gonna fill those shoes."

The network dropped the teaser of the highly anticipated series this month. The cast so far includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. The ensemble cast also includes Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. Bel Powley plays the awful aunt Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as her husband, Vernon Dursley, and Amos Kitson as the bully, Dudley Dursley.

'Harry Potter' is executive produced by Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman, and Rowling. The first season of 'Harry Potter' comprises eight episodes, adapting the first book from the seven-part novel series, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' It is set to premiere on HBO in the United States and HBO Max in the United Kingdom during Christmas of this year. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Left Bank Pictures has responded to a tragic incident at the Edinburgh studio used for ‘Dept. Q’ as police inquiries into the circumstances continue.
2026-11-14T15:25:47.000Z
A fan-favorite ‘Matlock’ star shares a behind-the-scenes update as the CBS drama prepares for its Season 3 return.
2026-11-14T14:08:57.000Z
‘Gilmore Girls’ documentary ‘Drink Coffee, Talk Fast’ brings back familiar cast members, including Jared Padalecki and Scott Pattersonts
2026-11-14T10:08:21.000Z
'CSI' veteran Marg Helgenberger was once one of the highest-paid small-screen actresses
2026-11-14T09:17:43.000Z
Dexter sets his sights on the Jaw Splitter in Season 2, Episode 3, while a fan theory links the mysterious killer to actor Jack Dylan Grazer.
2026-11-14T07:37:35.000Z
‘Law & Order: SVU’ showrunner Michele Fazekas addresses Benson and Stabler’s future after their emotional reunion in the milestone 600th episode
2026-11-14T07:25:13.000Z
‘Station 19’ alum Jay Hayden joins ‘Fire Country’ Season 5 as Mason Ellis, whose return to Edgewater sparks a new conflict between Bode and Jake
2026-11-14T06:34:18.000Z
CBS brings ‘Marshals’ and ‘Tracker’ back to its Sunday lineup on November 15 with new episodes following a one-week break for ‘Cupertino.’
2026-11-14T05:54:18.000Z
Boone and Mickey's relationship gets complicated with Emmy's arrival in 'Sheriff Country'
2026-11-14T04:43:33.000Z
Benson reunites with the detective as the SVU squad investigates an assault involving a police officer
2026-11-14T04:25:17.000Z