Cillian Murphy is tired of people asking him whether he is playing Lord Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO. In a new interview, the Oscar-winning actor of Oppenheimer finally set the record straight on whether he was taking on the part of the villain in the new TV reboot.
Ralph Fiennes originated the role of Lord Voldemort in the film franchise and seemingly gave Murphy his blessing on the role. Murphy is set to reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby in the upcoming Netflix feature film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, on March 20.
Cillian Murphy reveals if he is Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter reboot series
In an interview with The Times, Murphy gave a definitive answer about joining the Harry Potter universe. He revealed, “I’m categorically not. Can you make that the headline?” Since the HBO series went into production last year, that Murphy was the top candidate for the role.
In January 2026, Conclave star Ralph Fiennes also suggested that Murphy had already gotten the part. He told Let’s Talk Film that he had heard that his shoes as Voldemort had already been filled. Fiennes stated in a video that has since gone viral on TikTok, ” I think Cillian Murphy is very good. A very good choice.”
However, Murphy’s denial makes it very clear that he is not taking over Fiennes’ role in the TV version. The HBO series is currently filming in the UK and is expected to be released in 2027. The makers are reportedly filming the first and second seasons together, so there will not be a huge gap between seasons. HBO plans to adapt all seven books of JK Rowling’s boy wizard series.
About the Harry Potter TV series
Child actors Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton are taking over the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, from Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. McLaughlin, Stout, and Stanton are relative newcomers to the film and TV industry, just like the actors who played the iconic characters in the film. However, Radcliffe, Grint and Watson are now household names thanks to their decade as Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The other main cast members include Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, John Lithgow as Headmaster Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paul Whitehouse as Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Davis is the only actor reprising his role as Professor of Charms from the film series.